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Safety Protocols

Know What To Do

Know how to respond in emergency situations by becoming familiar with response procedures for specific events.

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Armed Subject 

Know What To Do

  • Call 9-1-1
  • Move away from gunfire
  • Do not attempt to investigate
  • Take personal responsibility for your safety, and act accordingly
  • Attempt to remove yourself from the situation and exit the building
  • If you cannot exit the building, seek shelter in a secure area that can be locked or barricaded
  • If possible, turn off lights and cell phone ringers without drawing attention to yourself

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Bomb or Bomb Threat 

Know What To Do

Suspicious Package/Bomb

Do not under any circumstances come close to the unidentified package or handle it in any way. Move to a safe location far away from the object and call the Police immediately. If the package is located within a building do not activate the fire alarm, this may cause a rush of people to come within close proximity of the suspicious package. Try to remember if anyone was around you when you found the package. Pay attention to details and give the police as much information as possible.

If you receive a bomb threat:

  • Stay composed and keep your voice calm.
  • Continue to talk to the caller to obtain as much information as possible.
  • Pay attention to details and take notes if possible.
  • Listen to the caller's voice and any identifying sounds in the background such as traffic, other people talking, any identifying accents, music, ect.
  • Here a few questions to ask the caller:
    • When will the bomb detonate?
    • What does the bomb look like?
    • Where is the bomb located?
    • What kind of bomb is it?
    • Who placed the bomb?
    • What is the reason for planting it?
    • Is there a specific target and why?
    • Ask the caller for his/her name and where they are located
  • Remember the time and date of the call.
  • Inform the Police and give them all of the information you have gathered

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Civil Disturbance 

Know What To Do

If you are a witness to a threatening disturbance, call and report the incident immediately to the campus police and take the following actions if they can be performed safely:

  • Alert employees in the area of the situation
  • Lock all doors; secure all files, documents and equipment

If you are the victim of, or are involved in any on-campus violation of the law such as assault, robbery, theft, overt sexual behavior, etc. Do not take any unnecessary chances. Notify the campus police or dial 9-1-1 and provide them with the following information:

  • Nature of incident
  • Location on Campus
  • Description of person(s)
  • Description of property

In the event of a civil disturbance, it is recommended to:

  • Avoid provoking or obstructing anyone participating in a disturbance or demonstration.
  • Assist the campus police when they arrive by supplying them with all additional information and ask others to do the same. The campus police will assess the situation upon their arrival and conduct any search necessary or disperse demonstrators as necessary.

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Elevator Failure 

Know What To Do

All campus elevators are equipped with emergency phones or emergency sirens. In the event of an elevator failure due to an electrical outage or other technological situations, stay calm and sound off the alarms or use the emergency telephone to dial for help.

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Explosion 

Know What To Do

In the event of an explosion on campus which could potentially render a building area unsafe, take the following actions:

  • Immediately take cover under tables, desks or other such objects that will give protection against glass or debris.
  • After the effects of the explosion have subsided, and if the environment you find yourself in is structurally safe, notify the campus police. Give your name, location, and a description of the event. If not, evacuate the building and then call the police once outside in a safe location.
  • If necessary, or directed to do so by the campus police, activate the building alarm system.
  • Evacuate the immediate area of the explosion and notify your supervisor
  • Be aware of structural damage
  • When evacuating, stay clear of glass and windows
  • Do not touch, handle or move any suspicious object(s)
  • Assist others, especially the injured and handicapped when evacuating the building.
  • Once outside:
    • Move to a clear area located at a safe distance away from the affected building. Evacuation maps for each building is located on the Risk Management Services website.
    • Keep sidewalks and streets clear for emergency vehicles. Do not re-enter the building for any reason, until the building has been established as safe and structurally sound by emergency response personnel.

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Fire 

Know What To Do

An evacuation map is available for download for each University building at the Risk Management Services Website.

In the event of a fire:

***DIAL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY***

  • Activate the building alarm if necessary or if directed to do so by the campus police.
  • On a minor fire that appears to be controllable, immediately dial 9-1-1, and then promptly direct the output of a fire extinguisher toward the base of the flame. Get help, even if the fire appears to be small and manageable.
  • On larger fires that are not immediately controllable, close all doors, but DO NOT LOCK THEM, to confine and reduce the amount of oxygen.
  • Evacuate the building at the nearest exit, alerting people as you go.
  • Once you are in a safe location, and call the campus police, give your name, location and size of the fire.
  • DO NOT USE ELEVATORS IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE, they may become disabled.
  • Assist individuals with disabilities as necessary.
  • Once outside in a clear area DO NOT RE-ENTER the building for any reason even if the fire alarm has stopped.

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Floods 

Know What To Do

If your building is impacted by flooding due to a plumbing failure, a steam line failure, or local heavy rainfall:

  • Discontinue using electrical equipment
  • Evacuate the building if necessary and possible

If you will be traveling to the campus and there is potential for heavy rainfall that may create flooding, check the UNT web page, KNTU 88.1 FM or other local news media for weather updates or closings.

Remember this simple phrase, TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN if you are faced with flooding conditions.

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Hazardous Materials 

Chemical or Radiation Spill

If you are notified that a chemical or radiation spill has occurred in your immediate area,

  • Dial 9-1-1. When reporting the incident, give as many details as possible about the chemical(s), the amount spilled, and the location of the incident.
  • Walk quickly and calmly to the nearest marked exit and instruct those around you to do the same. Assist individuals with disabilities in exiting the building if possible.
  • If evacuation is not possible, move to the nearest stairwell and wait for assistance from local emergency response personnel. Elevators should not be used in an emergency event because of a possible mechanical failure.
  • Try not to inhale any gases, fumes and/or smoke.
  • Once outside, move to a safe location AT LEAST 500 feet away from the incident site. Keep streets, fire lanes, sidewalks and fire hydrants clear and accessible for emergency vehicles and personnel. DO NOT RETURN to an evacuated building under any circumstances until emergency services personnel have cleared the building, even if alarms have stopped.

Anyone who may have come in contact with the chemical or radiation should to avoid contact with other persons, and remain in the vicinity until emergency services personnel arrive.

In the event the City of Denton's outdoor warning sirens are activated, seek shelter indoors and await further instructions from city or university officials, as this can indicate that a large chemical or radiation spill has occurred in the area.

UNT may also use Eagle Alert to notify the campus community that an emergency has occurred.

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Natural Gas Leak 

Know What To Do

Immediately cease all operations.

DO NOT SWITCH LIGHTS ON/OFF OR ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

  • Evacuate the area.
  • Once in a safe location, dial 9-1-1.

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Power Outages 

Know What To Do

In the event of an electrical failure or power outage,

  • Most major campus buildings are equipped with emergency lighting that will provide enough illumination in corridors and stairs for safe exiting.
  • Call the facilities department at 940-565-2751.
  • Evacuate the building if the fire alarm sounds or if instructed by police department or other emergency services personnel.
  • In laboratory buildings
    • Fume hoods will not operate during a power outage, so it is advisable that the labs should not be used until power and ventilation is  properly restored.
  • It is advisable for each department to have flashlights and battery operated radios available.

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Safety Protocols 

Know What To Do

Know how to respond in emergency situations by becoming familiar with response procedures for specific events.

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Terrorism 

Know What To Do

There is no information to date which specifies the University of North Texas, as a target for any type of terrorist attack. However, the campus is taking a proactive approach in its efforts to look after the safety of the campus. The University of North Texas has been working in combination with local, state and federal government agencies to update our current emergency response plans. In the event of a terrorist attack, the University North Texas would notify the campus community.

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Tornado 

Know What To Do

Refer to the Risk Management Services website for shelter locations, which are included in each building's Evacuation Plan. In the event of severe weather, tornado activity is possible. Tornado season is generally from March to August; however tornados may occur at any time of the year. If a tornado is approaching:

  • Seek shelter immediately. Go to the lowest floor possible. Seek shelter in an interior hallway, closet or bathroom. Stay away from windows and doors.
  • If you are driving a vehicle, do not try to out run a tornado. If possible drive to a concrete building and seek shelter. If that is not possible, find shelter under an overpass or lay face down in a ditch along the road, covering the back of your neck and head.
  • Listen to a radio or other media sources for the latest tornado advisory information.

Remember:
Tornado WATCH means the weather conditions are favorable for a tornado.
Tornado WARNING means a tornado is imminent or occuring.

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