How to respond to a campus emergency

In the event of a medical emergency on the CU Anschutz Campus: 

1. Call University Police at 9-1-1 from a campus landline telephone or at 303-724-4444 from a cell phone.
2. Report location of person needing assistance.  Remain calm and be specific when speaking to police dispatch.
3. State that you have a medical emergency and whether or not an ambulance is needed.  The call will be transferred to the responding agency.  Be prepared to give a basic description of the nature of the injury or illness.
4. If trained, begin first aid.  Do not move the ill/injured person unless failure to do so would result in further injury and it is safe to do so.
5. If University Police are not on scene, send someone to direct the emergency responders to the location of the medical emergency.

Upon discovery of a fire at CU Anschutz, follow the A-RACE actions:

1. ACTIVATE: Pull the nearest fire alarm pull-box (usually at or near an exit door).
2. RESCUE: If safe, assist any injured or disabled persons out of the area.  Do not put yourself in danger.
3. ALERT: Notify others in the immediate area.  From a safe location, Call University Police at 9-1-1 from a campus landline telephone or at 303-724-4444 from a cell phone.  Give the exact location, what is burning, and your name.
4. CONFINE: Close doors as you exit the fire area.
5. EXTINGUISH and/or EVACUATE: Extinguish the fire, if safe.  Otherwise, evacuate the building by following the exit signs to the shortest or safest route, but DO NOT USE ELEVATORS.  Assemble at your assigned safe location.  Supervisors should try to account for all personnel known to be working in the area of the fire.

Floors/departments may choose to implement a floor warden process in order to assist with evacuation and/or sheltering; communications internally and with first responders; and accountability of students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Floor warden duties should be split between more than one person in order to accomplish these tasks and proper training to staff should be provided.

Report injured, trapped, or unaccounted for persons to fire personnel.  DO NOT re-enter the building until alarms have stopped and/or emergency personnel advise you that it is safe to re-enter.

The University Fire & Life Safety Officer may be reached at 303-724-0293.

TORNADOS AND SEVERE WEATHER: Do not assume that it is safe if a weather alert (“watch” or “warning”) has not been issued as tornados or other severe weather can crop up at any time.  You may be at risk and should prepare to take cover anytime severe weather threatens.  Severe weather information may be given over the public address system in the buildings, via CU Alerts! Emergency Notification System (ENS), and/or digital signage at CU Anschutz (where applicable). If severe weather occurs in the area:

1. Remain calm; do not run or panic. 
2. As it is safe to do so, seek shelter in the lowest possible level of the building, in an interior space, away from windows.
3. Wait for the “all-clear” from the fire department, police responders, the CU Alerts! system, or overhead PA announcement system before leaving your area of protection.

BLIZZARDS/HEAVY SNOW: The Chancellor (or designee) is responsible for the decision to close any or all campuses or to issue campus advisories.  Such decisions will be made for extreme weather conditions that pose an immediate health and/or safety hazard.  Notifications of campus closures and/or delays will be transmitted through the CU Alerts! ENS. Campus closure and delay information can also be obtained through the CU Anschutz Campus Information Line at 877-INFO-070 (4636). 

FLOOD: During periods of heavy rain and flash flooding: 

1. Be cautious of low-lying areas that may have flash flood conditions; if the road is covered, find an alternate route.  If inside a building, evacuate to higher ground immediately if it is safe to do so.  Move to higher floors within the building if you are unable to evacuate.
2. Report flooding on or near campus by calling CU Anschutz Police at 9-1-1 from a campus landline telephone or at 303-724-4444 from a cell phone.

Be aware that floods are usually accompanied by other severe weather conditions. 

EMERGENCY RELEASE: Uncontrolled, high toxicity hazard, potential fire/explosion hazard, or unknown substance.  If an emergency release occurs:

1. Evacuate the immediate area of all personnel.
2. Close the doors to contain the material.
3. Call University Police at 9-1-1 from a campus landline telephone or at 303-724-4444 from a cell phone and provide the dispatcher with the following known information:
   1. The exact location of release and the area(s) affected.
   2. Injuries due to exposure, number (and names) of person(s) affected, and conditions/symptoms.
   3. Hazardous product(s) released and amount released.
   4. Where the caller will meet emergency responders and a contact number to reach the caller.

INCIDENTAL RELEASE: Easily controlled, spill of known material, material with low toxicity, with proper protection and equipment available.  Personnel causing the spill will initiate cleanup immediately.  If an incidental release occurs:

1. Call University Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) at 303-724-0345 for advice and follow-up.  EHS will notify University Police.

AIR QUALITY: For concerns with air quality, CU Anschutz employees, students, and/or staff should contact University Facilities Management at 303-724-1777.  Facilities Management serves as the point of contact and will involve personnel from University Environmental Health & Safety and University Risk Management, as needed.

In the event that a campus or building evacuation is required at CU Anschutz, move quickly, but in an orderly fashion to the nearest exit. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS. 

*It is campus policy to evacuate whenever a fire alarm sounds or when directed by emergency personnel.

Once outside of the building:

1. Continue to a safe distance (a minimum of 100 feet or more when directed by emergency personnel). 
2. Keep clear of emergency vehicles. 
3. Gather at your pre-determined safe location and try to account for all persons who were in your area.  If you know of persons who are injured, trapped, or unaccounted for, report that information to emergency responders. 
4. Do not leave the campus without notifying your supervisor. 
5. Do not re-enter the facility/campus until University Police or other emergency responder indicates that it is safe to do so.

• Clear signs of distress            
• Writings that convey clear intentions to harm oneself or others
• Erratic behavior         
• Suicidality, including threats, gestures, ideations, and attempts                   
• Paranoia         
• Observed self-injurious behavior (such as cutting or burning)
• Threatening words or actions            
• Postings on social media outlets that are threatening
• Classroom disruptions Overreaction to changes in policies/procedures         
• Violent or aggressive behavior          
• Extreme or sudden changes in behavior
• Excessive absenteeism                       
• Extreme rudeness/insubordination toward university officials
• Lack of responsiveness          
• Alienation/isolation from others
• Lack of emotional expression            
• Relationship violence

All bomb threats must be considered real until proven otherwise.  If you receive a bomb threat:

1. Remain calm. 
2. Call CU Anschutz Police at 9-1-1 from a campus landline telephone or at 303-724-4444 from a cell phone and provide the dispatcher with information including:
   1. A description of the suspect including his/her voice (male/female, excited, angry, etc).
   2. Exact time the bomb threat was made.
   3. The reported location and description of the bomb, package, or object.
   4. Try to get as much information as possible about the suspect and incident. 

If you discover a suspicious package or object, do not touch or move it.  AVOID using a cell phone! Immediately:

1. Encourage persons in the area to move away.
2. Call CU Anschutz Police at 9-1-1 from a campus landline telephone or at 303-724-4444 from a cell phone and provide the dispatcher with information including:

1. The location and description of the bomb, package, or object.
2. A detailed description of the item(s)
3. Exact time the suspicious package/object was found.