In the event of an emergency, information affecting the general campus community will be distributed by via voice mail, e-mail, this web site and other campus alerts where appropriate.
Faculty and staff are asked to provide their cell phone numbers to be contacted in the case of an emergency. If you have not already done so, please log on to Agora, select the "Update your Addresses and Phone Numbers" service, then submit or update your cell phone number in the space provided. Your number will not be used for any other purpose than emergency notification.
Faculty and staff should familiarize themselves with the emergency procedures outlined on this web site, and in particular with procedures for building evacuation and Shelter-in-Place, below. This information also is available as a flyer that may be posted in your office. Download the flyer here.
Building Evacuation
Faculty and staff should familiarize themselves with the entrances and exits of all buildings they frequent.
When an emergency requires all occupants to immediately exit a building, that building's fire alarm will sound.
You should:
- Leave the building through the nearest exit. Do not use elevators during an evacuation. If in class, faculty members should ensure that students comply immediately. Remember to check for stragglers.
- Gather outside the building. Supervisors should check for staff present. Faculty should take the names of those students present, and, if possible, report the names of any students not in class at the time of the evacuation.
- Remain outside at the gathering place until an all-clear to reenter the building is issued or until further instructions are given. Faculty and supervisors are asked to assist in keeping order.
- Faculty and staff members with disabilities should notify Human Resources immediately upon beginning work at Boston College or transferring to a new location. If you have not done so before, make sure to do this now. During an evacuation, follow the same protocol outlined above. If you need assistance leaving a building, notify a co-worker that you will wait by the nearest stairwell. Do not use an elevator during an evacuation. Also, call BC Police at x2-4444 from your cell phone and let the operator know of your exact location. Stay calm until help arrives.
Shelter-in-Place
If it is important to minimize exposure to outside risks, members of the University Community may be asked to Shelter-in-Place for what may be a prolonged period of time.
Shelter-In-Place will be signaled by emergency alerts to the campus community as outlined on this site.
You should:
- Immediately seek refuge inside the nearest building. If already indoors, stay in place. Faculty members who are conducting class should remain in their classroom.
- Close all windows, and turn off heat and air conditioning if possible.
- Move to the side of the room away from windows.
- Wait for instructions from BC Police.
Prepare Yourself
1) ASSEMBLE AN EMERGENCY KIT
All individuals may wish to keep a supply of essentials - snacks, water, medicine, eyeglasses or contact lenses - in his or her office in case of an incident where it may be unsafe to go outside for a period of time (Shelter-in-Place).
More on assembling a kit and other tips can be found here.
2) LEARN ABOUT CAMPUS SAFETY PROCEDURES
Familiarize yourself with BC's campus safety and emergency preparedness website BC/Prepared. This site contains valuable information on individual preparedness, important safety tips, and an overview of how BC will respond to and recover from emergency situations.
3) THE "ICE" PLAN FOR EMERGENCY CONTACTS
Add the entry ICE ("in case of emergency") to your cell's phonebook with the number of the person to be contacted in the event of an emergency.
4) STAY ALERT
Though Boston College is a safe environment, all members of the University Community are urged to become involved in safety on and off campus by staying alert and reporting any unusual activity to the BC Police at ext 2-4440, for emergencies ext 2-4444.
