Emergency Procedures you need to know when on a NOVA Campus!

FIRE
• Activate the nearest fire alarm and call 9-1-1 if possible.
If there are no fire alarms, knock on doors and yell “fire”
as you exit the building.
• Evacuate the building.
• Do not use elevators!
• Feel closed doors with the back of your hand.
Do not open if doors are hot.
• Move well away from the building when evacuating and
assemble at designated assembly areas.
• Do not re-enter the building until authorized by
emergency personnel.

VIOLENT INCIDENT
• Immediately seek protection/shelter in place.
• Secure area by locking or barricading door using
whatever means available.
• Stay behind solid objects away from door.
• Call 9-1-1.
• Minimize noise that may draw attention to your location:
turn off lights, computers, and radios and put cell phones
on vibrate.
• Follow all directions of authorities; do not challenge
law enforcement.
• When reporting an incident, indicate your location.

SUSPICIOUS
PERSON/OBJECT
SUSPICIOUS PERSON
• Do not physically confront the person.
• Do not let anyone into a locked building/office.
• Do not block the person’s access to an exit.
• Call 9-1-1. Provide as much information as possible
about the person and his or her direction of travel.

SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE

• Do not touch or disturb the object.
• Do not use cellular phones or two-way radios.
• Call 9-1-1.
• Notify your supervisor or instructor.
• Be prepared to evacuate and take personal
belongings with you.

SEVERE WEATHER/
TORNADO
• Prepare to shelter in place if ordered.
• Remain calm and alert.
• Relocate to designated shelter areas; remain clear of
glass windows or doors.
• If you cannot reach the designated area, use an interior
hallway on the lowest floor possible.
• If you are outside and unable to get to a building for
protection, move away from the tornado’s path at a right
angle. If there is no time to escape, lie flat in the
nearest depression (i.e., ditch or ravine).

BOMB THREAT/EXPLOSION
• Notify Campus Police at 9-1-1.
• Do not use cellular phones or two-way radios.
• Do NOT activate the fire alarm system to evacuate.
• Evacuate the building, as directed.
• Do not re-enter the building until cleared by
authorized personnel.
• Untrained persons should not try to rescue people who are
inside a collapsed building. Wait for emergency personnel.

Please visit the College’s Emergency Preparedness website for more information.