Emergency Procedures

In the unlikely event of an emergency, being prepared is important. Below you will find information about potential emergency situations and how to react.

• If you become aware of any emergency or other life threatening situations in your building, on campus, or elsewhere call 911 (9-911 from campus phones).
• If the emergency occurs on or near campus, call Campus Safety at 773.508.6039 (44-911 from campus phones).
• When you call, be prepared to:
• Give your name, location, and telephone number
• Describe the nature of the emergency
• Follow the dispatcher’s instructions
• If on campus, after contacting 911 and Campus Safety, notify a staff member, like your RA who can reach additional resources as necessary.

Severe Weather & Tornadoes

During Severe Weather the following procedures should be followed:

1. Listen to a local weather or radio station for updates on area weather
2. Know the following watch and warning levels:

• TORNADO WATCH: Tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms.
• TORNADO WARNING: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar, if a tornado warning is issued for your area, move to your pre-designated place of safety.
• SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH: Severe thunderstorms are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms.
• SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING: Severe thunderstorms are occurring.

3. If a warning is issued or if threatening weather approaches:

• In a building, move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement.
• If underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture.
• Stay away from windows.

Residence Hall Safety during Severe Weather Events

In the event of severe weather with threat of tornado, please move to the lower floors of your building and remain in the interior hallways away from any glass. Try to stay in floor groups, so that a determination can be made as quickly as possible about people who may be missing. You will receive further information from residence hall staff and security personnel at your location.

FIRE

Emergency evacuation procedures are posted in hallways and on each stairwell door in the residence hall. These procedures provide detailed evacuation information for the building.

Loyola University Chicago and the City of Chicago take fire safety seriously. Fire alarm and suppression systems are installed in the residence halls and should not be tampered with or touched unless there is an actual emergency. Tampering with equipment may result in contract termination and/or civil penalties.

If a fire alarm sounds, all building occupants including residents, guests, and staff are required to evacuate immediately following the posted evacuation procedures. After evacuating, go to the rally point for your building and avoid blocking sidewalks/streets so emergency personnel has access.

RALLY POINTS

In case of the evacuation of a residence hall, all residents should move immediately to a specific rally point. Department of Residence Life staff, with the assistance of University Chaplains and Campus Safety Staff, will provide instructions there.

In drills, as in actual emergencies, students must comply with directions given by residence hall staff and emergency personnel. Students who refuse to follow evacuation procedures will be referred to OSSCR for disciplinary action.