Emergency Procedures

UMass Emergency Procedures provides guidance on strategies for responding to an emergency on campus, though these considerations also apply outside of the campus environment. Each of the hazard-specific guidance is intended to be a general overview – your specific action plan will need to adapt based on the details of the situation. Use this as a tool to build your personal response plan so you are prepared when disaster strikes!

In the case of a campus-wide emergency, UMass will send out Emergency Alerts. However, there may be emergencies within your building or residence hall that are not sent out through UMass Emergency Alerts, in which case always follow the direction of emergency personnel. 

Emergency Management faculty tabling

Campus Emergency Guidance Poster

The UMass Amherst Emergency Procedures Poster is located in every building on campus in order to help educate students, faculty and staff about what to do when there is an emergency on campus. 

Evacuation & Shelter in Place

Someone running down stairs and someone taking shelter in a house

Evacuation and shelter in place are both emergency responses that you may be directed to follow to ensure your safety. 

Evacuation: there is danger inside and you should leave the building as quickly as possible.

Shelter in place: there is danger outside and you should find a safe place inside.

Every emergency situation is unique, and therefore your response needs to be adaptive. Learn more about these response activities and how to best apply them based on a variety of circumstances.

Evacuation & Shelter in Place

If You Need Assistance During an Emergency

Someone helping another person and there hands are together

If you require additional assistance in an emergency, be sure to identify your needs ahead of time and communicate them to others. 

For those offering help, ensure you provide assistance only if you have the proper training or if the person is in immediate danger. 

If You Need Assistance During an Emergency 

Procedures

Active Threat
Icon describing an active threat situation and the first action to take is run, hide, then fight

Active Threat

Bomb Threat/Suspicious Package
A bomb

Bomb Threat/Suspicious Package

Chemical/Hazardous Materials
A chemical bottle

Chemical/Hazardous Materials

Cyber Attack
A computer screen with a cyber attack

Cyber Attack

Earthquake
An earthquake by a house

Earthquake

Fire
Fire

Fire

Health Emergency
A heart with a pulse through it

Health Emergency

Severe Weather
A cloud with rain, snow, heat waves, and sunshine around it

Severe Weather

Utility Outage
Two plugs disconnected from each other

Utility Outage