This presentation provides the basics for personal safety and preparedness at UTC.

1. Emergency Preparedness on
Campus

2. Prepare for anything!
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZjSQn1fzL
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3. What is preparedness?
Defined as a state of readiness to respond to a
disaster, crisis, or any other type of emergency
situation.
Natural vs. Man-Made

4. Why is preparedness important?
• April 16, 2007
– Virginia Tech Shooting
– 33 killed
– Began in a residence
hall before moving to an
academic building
• April 25-27, 2011
– Largest tornado
outbreak ever recorded
– Touchdown within a
mile from campus
– 348 total fatalities

6. April 27, 2011 Damage in N. Georgia

7. Emergency Alert and Notification
• How will I find out information if there is a
campus emergency?
• What if I am in class?
• What if I am off campus?

8. How will I find out information if
there is a campus emergency?
UTC has the ability to alert
through multiple methods on
campus:
• UTC Alert
• Classroom Alerts
• Emergency Signage
• Fire Alarms
• UTC Email (UTC INFO, UTC URGENT)
• PA system
• Social Media
• Word of Mouth

9. Emergency Alerting
• What is UTC Alert?

10. UTC ALERT
• UTC Alert is a system that allows the university to
send SMS text messages with critical instructions
during an emergency
• Only those who are signed up will receive the
messages.

11. UTC ALERT
• Messages will ONLY be sent when an immediate
threat exists, i.e.:
– Acts of violence
– Severe weather threat
– Bomb threats

12. UTC ALERT
• WILL NOT BE USED to announce delayed openings
due to inclement weather; WILL BE USED to
announce closings due to sudden inclement
weather as needed, i.e. midday snow storm
• Updates via News/Media OR Call 423-425-4SNOW

13. How do I sign up?
1. Go to www.utc.edu/edu
2. Click Emergency Preparedness at the bottom

14. UTC Alert
3. Register

15. What if I am in class?
1. Alert Beacons will issue a classroom alert, in addition to
other building alarms, i.e. fire alarm.
2. At that time, the professor should stop class to take
emergency action.
3. Please follow the emergency procedures listed in the
emergency alert.
4. Follow emergency procedures until the campus sends an
“All Clear” message.

16. What if I am off campus?
1. Remain alert to all situations.
2. If you are at a place of business, pay attention to their
emergency signage to learn the fastest evacuation route
and shelter locations.
3. If you are at a residence, ask the home owner where all
exits are located and the location of the best shelter at the
home.
4. Evacuate or seek shelter if an emergency arises.
5. Stay out evacuated or sheltered until the emergency is over.

17. Emergency Procedures
What do I do in the event of a campus
emergency?

18. Evacuation
• WHY would you evacuate a building?
– In the case of Fire, Bomb Threat, Explosion,
Chemical Incident
• If you hear an alarm or receive an ALERT to
evacuate:
1. Evacuate calmly (DO NOT use elevators)
2. Report location of persons who cannot exit
3. Go to your emergency assembly area (at least
500 ft. away from the building)
4. Wait for the ALL CLEAR

19. Evacuation
• Academic buildings have evacuation and
shelter signage to indicate exit routes and
assembly areas.
• Residence halls have evacuation and shelter
signage in every room.

20. Evacuation

21. Tornado
• Tornado Watch- tornadoes are possible;
remain alert
• Tornado Warning- tornado has been spotted
UTC will notify you if there is a tornado
warning that affects the campus area; ONLY
watches/warnings that affect the campus area
will be disseminated.

22. Tornado Shelters
• North Campus Housing
1. Take shelter in your dormitory restroom or
closet space
2. Duck into the tornado safety position
3. Cover yourself with heavy objects
4. Wait for the ALL CLEAR

23. Tornado Shelters
• South Campus Housing
1. Go to the lowest floor of the building
2. Take shelter the hallway and fire exit stairwells
(stay away from glass)
3. Duck into the tornado safety position
4. Cover yourself with heavy objects
5. Wait for the ALL CLEAR

24. Tornado Shelters
• Campus Wide/General tips
1. Get to the lowest floor possible (basements, even)
2. Avoid rooms with exterior walls, seek interior
spaces
3. Avoid rooms containing glass or windows
4. Avoid rooms with wide roofs that could collapse
easily, such as the gym and auditoriums
5. If you are outside and you cannot get inside,
crouch for protection beside a strong structure, or
lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area and cover your
head and neck with your arms or clothing

25. How can we be better prepared on
campus?
Personal Preparedness

26. Get a KIT
Make a PLAN
Be INFORMED
Personal Preparedness

27. • Water
• Food
• Flashlight
• Radio/Weather
Radio
• First Aid Kit
• Batteries
• Personal Documents
• Emergency
Contact Info
• Emergency
Blanket
• Cash
• Map
• Cell Phone
• Multi-Purpose
Tool
Get a KIT
*Be sure to include any
regular medications*

28. Make a PLAN
• How will I evacuate from my housing unit in
the event of a fire?
• Where is my emergency assembly area when
I am in class? In the residence hall?
• Where should I go during a tornado warning?
• How will I let family know I am “okay”?
• Where will I keep my disaster kit(s)?

29. Be INFORMED
• Sign up for UTC ALERT
• Pay attention to Evacuation and Shelter Maps
• Note location of EXIT lighting and stairwells
• Purchase a Weather Radio

30. What resources are available?
• www.utc.edu “Emergency Preparedness”
– Current Weather (radar, warnings, etc.)
– Supplemental guides, resources
• How to build an emergency plan for your
dorm room
• How to build a disaster kit
• Active shooter response videos
• Fire and safety interactive education games
• Multicultural preparedness
• Disability preparedness

31. What resources are available?
• (Online) Abnormal Conditions Preparedness
Guide
• Unsafe Conditions
• Injury or Illness
• Suspicious Mail
• Fire
• Emergency Evacuation
• Inclement Weather Info
• High Winds/Tornado
• Bomb Threats
• Acts of Violence
• Students in Distress
• Reporting a Crime
• Hazardous Waste
• Chemical Release/Spill
• Building Modifications

32. Contact Information
(423)425-2297
Emergency-Management@utc.edu