Knowing What to Do in an Emergency Could Save Lives

Welcome back from the Office of Emergency Management and Safety (OEMS)! As the semester begins, please take a moment to review this important information related to emergencies at the College. 

In an effort to ensure that we are all prepared for an emergency situation, please review the College Emergency Action Plan. As employees of the College, you are the front line in an emergency. Students see you as an authority figure, and will look to you in an emergency. Your reaction can influence how they respond. It is important that you are well-versed and know how to react. The Emergency Action Plan provides valuable information to assist you in a variety of situations.

Wherever you are at the College, you should know:

• The two safest and most direct evacuation routes. Evacuation maps showing primary and secondary evacuation routes are posted in classrooms and conference rooms.
• The location of the outdoor assembly areas. On each campus, red flags highlight most designated assembly areas.
• The location of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and fire extinguishers.
• Locations of on-campus shelter areas to shelter in place during a severe weather event.
• The appropriate procedures for an active shooter/violent incident (Run — Hide — Fight).

General information relating to emergency procedures should be provided to students during the first week of class and throughout the semester. To assist you in providing this information to your students, several resources are available:

• Syllabus Insert — This one-page resource can be inserted into your class syllabus. It contains basic emergency preparedness information and directs students to additional resources.
• Emergency Procedures at NOVA: What Students Should Know — This PowerPoint provides faculty with emergency preparedness information to present in the classroom. It contains emergency information and a general overview of emergency preparedness at NOVA. It also provides links for more information.
• NOVA Campus Safety Video — This video provides general safety and emergency preparedness information. Click here to access the NOVA Campus Safety Video.  

PLEASE NOTE: All students, faculty and staff MUST participate in fire drills, which are unannounced. Whenever a fire alarm is activated, it is mandatory that all persons evacuate the building. It is unlawful to not vacate a building during a fire alarm.

It is critical that you and your students know what to do in the event of an emergency. During an emergency, time is critical, and your immediate action can save lives.

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact David Cook, acting director of OEMS. 

Submitted by:
David Cook, Acting Director, OEMS, DCook@nvcc.edu