University of St. Thomas

Evacuation

In the event of a general emergency where the Public Safety Department has deemed it necessary for a building or area on the campus to be evacuated, the following procedures will be followed:

• UST Public Safety officers will assess the situation and, depending upon the circumstances, will notify occupants in person or by phone. During evacuation, a temporary gathering site will be selected by Public Safety and persons leaving the building or area will be directed to proceed to that location.
• At special events, such as commencement, an announcement will be made to those in attendance to gather their personal items and proceed to exit the premises in a calm and orderly manner.
• At sporting events, Public Safety personnel will go directly to the officials and advise them of the situation. This will stop the event, and at that time an announcement will be made to gather all personal items and proceed to exit the premises in a calm and orderly manner.
• Upon evacuating all persons from the building, the officer(s) will attempt to lock all exterior doors (or block other access) to prevent any unauthorized person(s) from entering the area.

What Will Happen Next?

• No one may re-enter the building/area until the “All Clear” is given by Public Safety, fire or police personnel.
• Depending upon the circumstances, all persons at the temporary gathering site may be asked to give names and UST status. This will allow for accountability for possible person(s) still in the building or “missing”.
• Only UST Public Safety personnel or local public law enforcement personnel may indicate an "All Clear”. The “All Clear” simply indicates that as thorough and reasonable a search as possible was conducted and no further danger was apparent. Once the “All Clear” is given, people may re-enter the building/area.
• The UST Public Safety Department and police/fire departments will conduct an investigation.