The document provides guidelines and protocols for resident advisors to follow in various emergency situations that may occur on campus. It outlines procedures for responding to and notifying the appropriate personnel in the event of arson, bias incidents, bomb threats, death of a student, emergency repairs, fires, injuries/illnesses, police matters, power outages, psychological issues, sexual assault, and shelter in place or evacuation orders. The document emphasizes remaining calm, notifying security and professional staff, documenting the incident, and self-care after responding to stressful situations.

1. Emergency Response & Critical Incidents
RA Training Fall 2015

2. Introduction
One of the major concerns as staff members is the
safety and welfare of all students in our residence
halls. Your role as a Resident Advisor and live in staff
member is critical. You will likely be the first
University staff member to notice that something
may be wrong and therefore be the first to respond
in any possible type of emergency situation. These
protocols will provide you the necessary guidelines
to effectively respond in the event of an emergency,
access additional resources and personnel, and
assist in the documentation of events and facts when
the health and welfare of a student or students is
threatened.

3. General Guidelines
Your responsibility during emergencies is to respond to the best of your ability and to summon
help from appropriate parties. Any emergency such as an accident, illness, or fire, can be one
of the most draining ordeals a residence life staff member will experience. When responding to
any type of emergency, be decisive and work to provide the best possible care and
consideration for all involved. Also, make sure all necessary parties are notified. Here are some
important things to remember when dealing with an emergency:
• Remain calm and breathe. Chances are others will not be calm. They will look to you for direction. When
the person in charge seems to have the situation under control, everyone seems to react more calmly
and reasonably.
• NOTIFY, NOTIFY, NOTIFY! You are expected to respond to any questionable situation as if it were a
potential emergency. Forward all vital information to the appropriate people. After you call 911 or handle
any immediate threat, notify the professional staff member on duty and Security; they will make a
decision regarding the next appropriate step.
• Document – After an RA responds to an emergency or questionable situation and the situation has been
resolved, the RA involved must complete an incident report to document their actions. This protects you
and the student should any questions be raised.
• Maintain confidentiality - NEVER discuss the incident with inappropriate individuals. If a student asks
what is going on, just tell them everything is under control and is being handled. Under no circumstances
should an RA speak to a member of the media. Any such inquiries should be referred to the on call
professional staff member.
• Take care of yourself afterwards. Emergency situations are stressful and draining. Take steps to take
care of yourself after situations and documentation have been resolved. You could talk with a counselor,
spiritual advisor, or professional staff member.

4. Arson Protocol
Fire setting behavior is a serious threat to students
living in residence halls. If you notice burn marks on
walls, bulletin boards, or any other type of
furnishings you must treat this seriously and respond
appropriately.
1. Call Security to take a report of your observation.
2. Notify the professional staff member on duty.
3. Complete your incident report and submit to the
professional staff member by the morning following
the incident.
4. Discuss with your supervisor the best way to respond
to the incident. A timely, educational response may
be necessary.

5. Bias-Related Incidents Procedure
Upon the discovery of a bias-related incident (vandalism, assaults
which seem motivated by bias, etc.), please take the following
steps:
1. Call Security to take a report of your observation.
2. Notify professional staff on duty.
3. The professional staff member and/or Security officer will determine if
vandalism requires immediate attention by Facilities staff once
appropriate evidence has been gathered.
4. If a student is directly impacted work with professional staff to help
them feel safe. Complete your incident report and submit to the
professional staff member by the morning following the incident.
5. Discuss with your supervisor the best way to respond to the incident. A
timely, educational response may be necessary.

6. Bomb Threat Emergency Protocol
If you know of or have reason to suspect a bomb
threat or have received a bomb threat:
1. Call 911 immediately.
2. Call Security.
3. Notify professional staff member on duty.
4. Security and emergency services personnel (police/fire)
will lead the process and determine if or when an
evacuation of a building is necessary
5. Complete an incident report and submit to the
professional staff the same day.

7. Death of a Student
A student may die as a result of an accident or injury to self. In
the event of a student death:
1. Call 911 immediately.
2. Call Security.
3. Notify professional staff member on duty.
4. Remove others from the scene. When emergency personnel
arrive, identify yourself as a Resident Advisor. Stay on scene,
unless instructed to leave, as your assistance may be needed.
5. Write a thorough incident report detailing the event.
6. Take care of yourself by debriefing with your supervisor and/or
seeking counseling services.

8. Emergency Repairs Protocol
Occasionally emergency repairs are necessary and include
things like toilets overflowing, rainwater leaking into student
room, water fountain damage, exterior door will not secure,
etc. When a serious repair is required:
1. Notify the professional staff member on duty. S/he will
contact Security to request that a member of the
maintenance staff repair the problem.
2. If a student is displaced and must be relocated, the
professional staff member will make arrangements. Your
assistance may be needed in this process.
3. Document your actions in an incident report. Be sure to
include if the incident was a result of deliberate or accidental
student damage/vandalism. If it is unclear whether or not it
was deliberate or accidental, record only the facts; avoid the
temptation to make assumptions.

9. Fire or Smoke Emergency
(including fire alarm activation)
Treat EVERY fire alarm as though it is a real fire. You never know, so always err on the
side of caution. If you happen to come upon the smell of smoke or something burning
follow these procedures:
1. Activate the nearest red fire pull station immediately.
2. As you exit the building knock on doors and direct students to the nearest exit (RA’s will NOT key
into rooms). Proceed to the designated exit immediately.
3. If smoke or fire is present, call 911 from outside the building.
4. Call security (366) and inform them the alarm is sounding (and the conditions if known).
5. Notify professional staff member on duty.
6. Wait outside at the designated location. Keep students away from the building. In case of a real
fire, students may leave the scene to go to a friend’s room or apartment. Try to keep track of
students; if they leave, get an address/phone number where they may be reached.
7. The fire personnel and/or Security officer will determine if it’s safe and at what point students can
re-enter the residence hall.
8. Notify the professional staff member on duty that the alarm has occurred and the circumstances
involved. Report evacuation or behavioral problems to the professional staff member.
9. In the event of a real fire or incident it may require students be outside or displaced for an
extended period of time. The professional staff member will establish a safe and warm waiting
area; you may be asked to assist in directing students towards that area.
10. Complete an incident report once the situation is resolved regarding alarm activation and
circumstances involved.

10. Minor Injury or Illness
• Attempt to evaluate whether a medical emergency exists or if the
situation is a minor injury/illness. If you feel that the health of the
student is immediately threatened, follow the procedure for Medical
Emergency listed below. If a minor injury or minor illness occurs during
normal business hours (8:30am-4:30pm), you can refer the student
directly to the Health Center. A minor illness or injury might include, but
is not limited to colds, minor cuts where bleeding has been controlled,
etc. Call Security (non-emergency) at x2298 to document the situation.
If you need assistance in determining the level of seriousness of an
injury, contact the professional staff member on duty immediately.
Regardless, you must complete an incident report and submit it to your
supervisor by the morning following the incident.
• For reasons of general health and liability, under NO circumstances
should an RA transport an injured/ill student in a vehicle of any kind.

11. Significant Injury or Illness
Medical emergencies occasionally occur in the residence halls. Examples of
medical emergencies include asthma attacks, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding,
alcohol poisoning/vomiting, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, etc. In the
case of a medical emergency:
1. Call 911 immediately.
2. Call Security (Dial 366) and tell them you are dealing with a medical emergency.
Explain what happened and where the person is right now.
3. Call the professional staff member on duty.
4. Return to the injured/ill person and wait for Security and/or the professional staff
member’s arrival.
5. Tell bystanders that help is on the way and ask them to clear the area so that
necessary people can get through.
6. Appoint one person (preferably a fellow staff member, if available) to stand outside
the door or hallway to show Security to the area.
7. Complete an incident report regarding the situation and submit to your supervisor by
the morning following the incident.

12. Police Emergencies
A police emergency may include a fight in progress, signs of a
domestic fight in progress, a threat of immediate violent
behavior; someone brandishing a weapon, etc. These require
immediate action as listed below:
1. Call 911 and advise the situation.
2. Call Security (dial 366) and advise of situation.
3. Remove yourself and other students from any immediate harm.
4. Notify the professional staff member on duty.
5. Work with Security and emergency personnel to resolve issue.
6. Complete a detailed incident report to record the circumstances
and individuals involved.

13. Power Failure
It is important to keep your staff flashlight in a safe and accessible location so you can reach it
easily during a power failure. During a power failure emergency and exit lights will be available for
safety purposes for a brief period of time.
1. If a power failure occurs, contact the professional staff member on duty immediately. If the staff member
does not answer right away remember that they may be experiencing the same black/brown out. Be
patient, leave a message and they will respond to you as quickly as possible.
2. If the power is out in only one room, it is probably a localized building issue. It may be that a circuit breaker
tripped. If that were the case, you as the staff member would want to follow the afterhours facilities issue
procedure.
3. With flashlight in hand (and ideally with another staff member), walk the hallways of the building to offer
assistance to students who may need it and answer questions as best you can. It is important to let the
residents know that you will relay information to them as soon as you get it.
4. Once you have made contact with the professional staff on duty, they will most likely inform you to do
rounds on a regular basis (every 30 minutes) to check for fire safety and injury.
5. Place signage on the doors to inform students of the situation with your name and extension in case there
are door entry issues.
6. Check your phone and voicemail regularly for updates from professional staff. If you are in possession of a
duty radio, keep it on as this is another method by which information will be disseminated.
7. Be prepared to maintain fire safety rounds throughout the evening. The professional staff member will be
assessing the situation and determining whether or not additional staff is required for further assistance.
8. Continue to do rounds until the professional staff member lets you know to stop.

14. Psychological Emergencies
If you believe a student is experiencing a severe emotional reaction or is in need of
emergency psychological help, notify the professional staff member on duty
immediately. If the professional staff member confirms your judgment, s/he will then
take necessary action. The professional staff member on duty will notify the
Director of Residential Education and Housing/Director of Campus Life. Here is the
typical RA response:
1. Call the professional staff member on duty.
2. Return to student and wait for professional staff member and/or Security.
3. Document via an incident report.
4. Follow up with the professional staff member after the situation.
5. Take care of yourself by visiting Counseling Services or talking with your supervisor.
• R.A.s WILL NOT NOTIFY PARENTS. If friends or floor mates are inquiring about notifying
parents, they should be told calmly that the University will notify the parents if deemed
necessary.
• As the R.A., you will be expected to provide relevant information to the professional staff
member on duty and potentially the counselor on call. You should stand by to provide any
other necessary assistance.

15. Sexual Assault or Misconduct
A student may be sexually assaulted on or off
campus. If you hear about or come in contact
with a student who has been assaulted you are
required to act:
• Contact the professional staff member on duty.
• Complete a thorough incident report.
• Take care of yourself by debriefing with a
professional staff member or Counseling
Services as this may stir difficult emotions.

16. Special Responses to
Certain Emergencies
In certain situations, Security or Residential Education and Housing may activate
campus wide or building specific instructions in response to an emergency situation
or threat. Instructions communicated via loud-speaker, electronically, or in-person
will provide direction as to the special response necessary. Two examples include:
• Shelter in Place: Sheltering in place is a strategy for keeping individuals out of harm’s way
by remaining where they are at the time of the incident. Students may be given
instructions to lock the residence hall room doors and remain in their rooms. Additional
instructions and updates will be communicated by Security staff and/or professional staff as
the situation warrants.
• Evacuation: Residential Education and Housing staff may need to evacuate students in
order to maintain safety within our community. You will receive instructions from a member
of the professional staff regarding procedures. You will likely assist in the evacuation
process. The evacuation may be a portion of campus or all of campus.
IF YOU EVER HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR DOUBT REGARDING A SITUATION
AND ARE UNABLE TO DECIDE IF IT IS AN EMERGENCY CONTACT THE
PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBER OR SECURITY TO HELP YOU DECIDE.