New programs enhance VU’s emergency preparedness efforts
Vanderbilt University has two new programs to help faculty and staff be prepared for an emergency.
The new Emergency Preparedness and Planning Web site at http://emergency.vanderbilt.edu is a centralized location for all emergency-related information.
It offers links to Vanderbilt departments involved in emergency planning, such as the Vanderbilt Police Department and Plant Operations, along with links to outside resources that offer tips for planning for a variety of emergency situations.
There is also current information on weather and Homeland Security alerts.
The “See Something, Say Something” campaign asks the Vanderbilt community to report any suspicious activity to help maintain a safe environment.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and the behavior of others and to inform an official of anything that concerns them.
Report the following safety concerns to a police officer, supervisor or University official:
• Unattended items or packages
• People in bulky or inappropriate clothing
• People loitering around non-public areas or areas in which they have no legitimate purpose
• Suspicious vehicles parked in unusual places or at unusual times
• Exposed wiring or other environment hazards
For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report a safety concern or a concern about a student or co-worker, call 322-2745.
In addition to these new programs, AlertVU continues to offer safety messages to faculty, staff and students.
In crisis situations, such as a tornado in the area or a shooting on campus, the emergency notification system will send a message alerting faculty and staff to the situation and providing instructions.
To register for the alerts, go to www.vanderbilt.edu/alertvu.
Messages are offered by e-mail, text message and phone calls to cell phones or land lines. The service is free, although cell phone carriers may charge text messaging fees.