Emergency & Crisis Response
Should an emergency situation develop in a residence hall, students will be notified by the hall staff. Because of the variations in physical design of the residence halls on campus, instructions will be given according to the particular hall's requirements. Each student is strongly advised to know and practice an escape route should an emergency occur. Because of the potential danger to other residents, boxes, bicycles or other property are not to be left in hall corridors or stairwells at any time. Hallways should be kept clear of any obstructions in case of fire.
Report emergencies by calling 9-911 and contacting the residence hall staff or hall office. Staff members will take the appropriate action.
FIRE DRILLS
For the protection and safety of residents, fire drills are held several times each semester. Please read the fire safety information posted in residence hall corridors for evacuation routes. Cooperation is expected at all times. All individuals must evacuate immediately when an alarm sounds. Failure to comply will result in judicial proceedings and a possible monetary assessment.
FIRE ALARM INSTRUCTIONS
Residents should do the following when the fire alarm sounds:
- Wear coat and shoes when possible.
- Close and lock the door and take room key.
- Take a large bath towel with you if possible.
- Residents who are in rooms other than their own at the time of the alarm should evacuate the building with the residents of the wing on which they are visiting.
- Proceed immediately in an orderly manner to the designated exit. Do not use elevators.
- In case of inclement weather (cold, snow, rain, etc.), proceed to the lobby of the nearest residence hall.
Staff can help direct you to the appropriate hall as well as notify you when it is safe to return.
TORNADO WARNING INSTRUCTIONS
Residents should do the following in the event of a tornado warning:
- Close and lock the door and take room key.
- Take a pillow, blanket or towel for protection.
- Proceed to the wings of the first or second floors and sit in the hall with your back to the wall. In high-rise buildings, the second and third floor hallways, elevator lobbies and ironing rooms should also be used for shelter.
- Lounges, study halls or other areas near glass should NOT be used as shelter areas. Do not take shelter near glassed areas.
- Follow directions from the CAs, Student Assistants and elected hall officers who will be acting on instructions from the Residence Life Coordinator.
- Keep talking and other noise to a minimum so that instructions can be passed along.
- Do not use candles.
- Do not use elevators.
- Do not leave the building.
- For your own protection, you need to seek shelter inside a building. If you choose to go outside, you do so at your own risk.
Should the university receive a Tornado Warning message, the Texas Tech Police will activate the campus alarm system, which consists of a siren system located on university buildings. The alarm system is augmented by the use of loudspeakers on university police vehicles broadcasting instructions and/or Texas Tech Police sounding the cars' police sirens.
Residence hall staff in each hall may make public announcements over the hall/complex intercom systems requesting that students take cover with more specific instructions. Staff in the remaining halls will set off the fire alarms and direct students where to take cover.
A tornado drill will be held during the spring semester. Additional information on tornado safety can be found at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ehs/Tornado/Tornado.htm