Skip to main content
Main Campus homeSafety home
Emergency Guide

Emergency Guide

  1. Medical Emergency
  2. Weather Emergency
  3. Lockdown
  4. Hazardous Materials
  5. Evacuations
  6. Fire

Medical Emergency

  • Call 911 immediately to contact University Police and activate Emergency Medical Services
  • Do not attempt to move the victim unless he or she is in danger of further injury
  • Properly trained individuals should begin CPR, if necessary
  • Properly trained individuals should commence first aid, particularly to stop heavy bleeding, while waiting for an ambulance
  • If alcohol poisoning is suspected, keep the person awake, turn the person on his or her side and contact University Police at 911
  • Please remember, UCF Student Health Services cannot deliver emergency care
  • When emergency care is needed, dial 911

LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCIES SHOULD NOT BE REFERRED TO UCF HEALTH SERVICES; DIAL 911

Weather Emergency

Most campus buildings are equipped with a weather radio, which broadcasts news of severe weather and warnings.

Tornados

  • Follow your building’s Shelter-In-Place Plan
  • Take shelter in a basement or the smallest, most-interior rooms and hallways on the lowest floor
  • Avoid glass-enclosed places or areas with wide-span roofs, such as auditoriums and gymnasiums
  • Crouch down and cover your head

Thunderstorms

  • Stay away from windows
  • Draw shades or blinds to reduce injury from flying glass
  • Minimize use of electrical equipment

Weather Closing Information

For information regarding weather closing at UCF’s main campus and regional campuses, call the main campus phone line at (407) 823-2000.

The UCF Homepage

Refer to the notice prominently posted on the University homepage at www.ucf.edu.

Local Media

News of university closings are broadcast via radio and television stations throughout the region.

Lockdown

A lockdown is ordered any time it is unsafe to leave the building. A lockdown may be called by University officials, law enforcement agencies, fire department, or other emergency responders. In the event of a lockdown, you will be notified via UCF Alert (see UCF Alert tab).

During a lockdown you should:

  • Remain calm.
  • Remain in your assigned area so a full accounting can be made of everyone inside the building.
  • Close and lock doors. Stay away from all windows and doors. Turn off all lights and remain silent. Call 911 only if you need help or have critical information to relay.
  • Move to a location in the room which is not visible to someone looking through the door or windows, if possible. If gunshots are heard, move to the floor.

Students and staff in hallways or other open areas must proceed immediately to a class- room or office where they can safely be sheltered. If a classroom or office door is locked, they should go to the nearest available room to take shelter. If you see someone other than emergency personnel attempting to enter the building, notify 911 immediately. NO ONE SHOULD LEAVE THE SECURED ROOM UNTIL DIRECTED TO DO SO BY EMERGENCY PERSONNEL, OR UNTIL GIVEN THE “ALL CLEAR” VIA UCF ALERT. IF YOUR DEPARTMENT HAS A LOCKDOWN PLAN IN PLACE, FOLLOW THOSE PROCEDURES. If building becomes unsafe, evacuate if safe to do so.

Hazardous Materials

Placards are posted outside all rooms containing hazardous materials or equipment.

Chemical Spills

Detailed safety procedures are in place in all campus laboratories where hazardous materials are used and stored. If you encounter a chemical spill and no trained individuals are in the area:

  • Notify University Police at 911
  • Do not touch the material
  • Isolate the area by cordoning it off or closing doors
  • Notify people in neighboring offices and classrooms
  • Turn off heat sources and extinguish open flames in the area
  • If there are vapors or noxious fumes, evacuate the affected area and do not re-enter the area until authorized emergency personnel give the “All Clear” signal

Radioactive Materials

Radioactive materials are utilized in some campus laboratories. Those that might be encountered are considered low-level sources of radiation and pose minimal threat when properly stored and handled. If you encounter what you believe to be radioactive material:

  • Notify University Police at 911
  • Do not touch the material
  • Isolate the area by cordoning it off or closing doors
  • Notify people in neighboring offices and classrooms to evacuate

Evacuations

Building Evacuation Procedures:

  • Leave building immediately when an alarm sounds or if you are instructed to do so by authorized emergency personnel
  • Notify others on your way out
  • Turn off equipment
  • Secure hazardous operations, if possible
  • Take important personal items
  • Close doors behind the last person out
  • Walk quickly to the nearest safe exit
  • Do not use elevators, unless authorized emergency personnel tell you to do so (this includes moving people with disabilities)
  • Do not re-enter the building until authorized emergency personnel give the “All Clear” signal
  • Report any missing or trapped persons to authorized emergency personnel
  • Move approximately 400 feet away from the building
  • Go to your evacuation meeting site and sign in (Even if you were not in your building when it was evacuated, go to your evacuation meeting site so someone can account for you.)
  • Notify emergency personnel if anyone is waiting for assistance
  • Instructors and supervisors should be proactive and be aware of people who will need assistance

If you are required to leave the building immediately but are unable to do so (because of a physical disability, injury or obstruction):

  • Go to the nearest place of refuge where there are no hazards, such as a stairwell
  • Notify University Police at 911
  • Signal for help by using a bright colored cloth or flashlight at a window for emergency responders, if possible
  • Remain calm, responders will arrive

Assisting Blind/Visually Impaired:

  • Clearly announce the type of emergency
  • Offer your arm for guidance
  • Tell the person where you are going and alert him/her to obstacles along the way

Assisting Deaf/Hearing Impaired:

  • Turn lights on and off to gain the person’s attention
  • Indicate directions with gestures or a written note

Assisting Mobility-Impaired/Wheelchair Users:

  • Seek volunteers to assist students/personnel with physical disabilities to the nearest stairway or place of refuge for rescue assistance
  • One individual should remain with the person(s), if it can be done without unreasonable personal risk
  • Others should advise emergency personnel of the location so that the evacuation can be completed

Fire

Prior to an emergency, familiarize yourself with exits and fire safety equipment, and designate a meeting spot for your work group for evacuations.

When an emergency is present:

  • Alert people in the immediate area of the fire and evacuate
  • Confine the fire and secure empty areas by closing doors as you leave
  • Initiate the fire alarm, where available, by activating a fire alarm pull station
  • Notify University Police at 911 or use an emergency phone outside the structure to report the location and size of the fire from a safe distance and location (approximately 400 ft. or more from the building)
  • Evacuate the building until authorized emergency personnel give the “All Clear” signal
  • Do not use elevators unless directed to do so by authorized emergency personnel

If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes:

  • Stay in the room with the door closed
  • Block the smoke at door cracks and air vents
  • If possible, wet a towel to protect your respiratory tract by covering your nose and mouth
  • Call 911 to alert authorities of your situation and exact location
  • Signal for help by using a bright-colored cloth or flashlight at the window

Report all fires, even those which have been extinguished, to University Police: 911

NOTE: There are different types of fire extinguishers for use on different types of fires. Familiarize yourself with the types & operation of fire extinguishers in your work area.