Emergencies

In case of a serious or ongoing threat to students and employees, both on and off campus, the Office of Campus Safety or the Student Development Professional on Call will immediately issue an emergency notification. The notification will be sent through multiple channels, including email, SMS, push notifications, and the LiveSafe App.

If necessary, the building’s audible fire alarm may be activated for building evacuation. However, in certain situations, the notification system may be delayed if it compromises the efforts to assist a victim or to contain, respond to, or otherwise mitigate the emergency.

The emergency notification is most often issued as a written “security alert” via email to all students and employees.

If people outdoors are at risk, the outdoor campus early alert system will be used to make audible announcements. Again, the notification system may be delayed if it compromises the efforts to assist a victim or to contain, respond to, or otherwise mitigate the emergency.)

When a crime that falls under the Clery Act occurs, campus officials are required to assess whether there is a serious or ongoing threat to the campus community. If there is, they will issue a timely warning to all employees and students via the LiveSafe emergency communication platform. These warnings may be sent by email, push notification, and SMS.

If there is an immediate, significant danger to the campus community, such as a weather or disease outbreak, campus officials may issue an emergency notification. These notifications are also issued through the LiveSafe platform and may be delivered via email, push notifications, and SMS.

Depending on the nature of a threat, notices may also be posted on the University’s official website. In addition, printed copies of emergency notifications may be posted in residence halls, at the front door of each on-campus house, townhouses, apartments, and in other campus buildings.

If you have any information regarding a crime or potential safety threat, you should contact CSS at 434.544.555. You can also reach out through the LiveSafe App or visit the CSS office located on the first floor of Hall Campus Center.

A safety announcement is different from timely warnings and emergency notifications as it provides information about a crime that has occurred but does not pose an immediate threat. Its purpose is to aid the campus community prevent a similar incident from occurring, explain the presence of emergency vehicles on campus, or provide information about a crime committed off campus that may have relevance for the campus community.

In general, a safety announcement is issued through the LiveSafe App by CSS or the POC. It usually includes the subject line “Safety Announcement,” a description of the incident, and suggested actions for preventing similar incidents.

In case of an emergency, the campus may need to be evacuated. First responders and University officials will take appropriate actions depending on the nature and severity of the emergency. This may include a specific evacuation plan.

Here are the different evacuation procedures to follow in case of an emergency:

• Shelter in place: If possible, stay where you are or move to a safe area inside the building.
• Building evacuation: If one or more buildings need to be evacuated, move to the designated location(s).
• Campus-wide evacuation to on-campus location(s): If everyone on campus needs to evacuate, move to designated on-campus location(s).
• Campus-wide evacuation to off-campus location(s): If everyone on campus needs to evacuate, leave the campus and go to designated off-campus location(s).

Please note that during an emergency, CSS may modify the evacuation plans or decisions based on the situation. They will consult with the POC, the Crisis Management Team, and/or local police or fire officials to make the best decisions.

Shelter-in-place is a safety measure that involves seeking refuge in a designated area, such as a small interior room with few or no windows, when it is not safe to go outside. This may be necessary due to air contamination, severe weather, an active shooter situation, or other criminal activity. Different emergency situations may require different safety locations, so it’s important that all students, employees, and visitors follow the shelter-in-place instructions provided. Announcements regarding the need to shelter in place will be made through the LiveSafe App.

Shelter-in-Place for Contamination

• Close all windows, exterior doors, and any other openings to the outside. In the event of an explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains as well.
• Gather essential disaster supplies, if possible.
• Select interior room(s) located above the ground floor, with the fewest windows or vents, and adequate space for everyone to be able to sit.
• Bring everyone into the room(s) and shut the door.
• Keep listening to local radio or television until you are told all is safe to come out, or you are told to evacuate.
• Please note that the University of Lynchburg and local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas, so it is crucial to stay alert and follow the instructions given by authorities.

Shelter-in-Place for Severe Weather

• Close all windows, exterior doors, and any other openings to the outside. If you are in a laboratory equipped with a fume hood and/or a biosafety cabinet, make sure to close the hoods and sashes.
• Gather essential disaster supplies, if possible.
• Choose an interior room(s) below or at ground level with enough space for everyone to sit comfortably.
• Bring everyone into the room(s) and shut the door.
• Keep listening to local radio or television until you are told that it is safe to leave or you are told to evacuate.

Shelter-in-Place for Active Shooter or Other Criminal Activity

In case of an active shooter outside your building:

• Find a room that can be locked, and close and lock all windows and doors. Turn off all the lights and try to stay out of sight.
• If possible, get everyone down on the floor and ensure that no one is visible from outside the room.
• One person in the room should call 911 and CSS (434.544.5555), and inform the dispatcher of what is taking place and your location.
• Remain in place until police or a University official known to you gives the “all clear.” Remember that unfamiliar voices may be the shooter attempting to lure victims out of their safe space. Establish a safeword with dispatchers so they can relay to officers on the scene.
• Do not respond to any voice commands until you can verify with certainty that they are being issued by a police officer or someone known to you.

If an active shooter is in the same building as you:

• Determine whether the room you are currently in can be locked. If so, follow the same procedure recommended for a shooter outside your building.
• However, if your room cannot be locked, you should try to locate a nearby area that can be reached safely or exit the building safely, if possible.

If an active shooter enters the room you are in:

• Remain calm and take immediate action to protect yourself and others.
• Call 911 and CSS (434.544.5555) to alert the police and security personnel of the shooter’s location. If you are unable to speak, leave the telephone connection open so the dispatcher can listen to what is happening.
• You can try to do any of the following:
  • Hide and shelter in place.
  • Escape.
  • Negotiate with the shooter.
  • Overpower the shooter (which should be considered a last resort).
  • If the shooter leaves the area, proceed immediately to a safer place and do not touch anything that was in the vicinity of the shooter.

If you decide to flee during an active shooting situation, make sure you have an escape route and plan in mind. Do not attempt to carry anything while fleeing. Move quickly, keep your hands visible, and follow the instructions of any police officers you may encounter. Notify authorities of the location of wounded people as soon as possible. Do not try to drive off campus until advised that it is safe to do so by police or campus officials.

Shelter-in-Place for Active Shooter or Other Criminal Activity

• Do not approach or try to catch the person(s) involved.
• If you see any suspicious behavior or a crime in progress, call CSS at 434.544.5555 and 911 immediately. Please provide the following information to the dispatcher:
  • The direction in which the suspect is moving.
  • Their location.
  • Physical description, including clothing.
  • Vehicle description and license plate number.
  • Weapons or tools involved.
  • What the person is doing.
• If you are in a safe place, stay on the phone with the dispatcher until instructed otherwise.