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We take community safety seriously, and we ask all members of the Vermont State community to become familiar with the policies and procedures related to preventing and responding to various hazards on campuses.
Regardless of size or scope, all emergencies shall be reported to the VTSU Public Safety Department for immediate response, notification, and documentation purposes. The VTSU Public Safety Department is available 24 hours a day.
In the case of a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1 then call Public Safety
Jump to: Fire | Active Shooter | Medical Emergency | Hazardous Material | Power Outage | Suspicious Object
General Safety
These general safety tips are a baseline for all students, faculty, and staff members to keep in mind as they spend time on our campuses and at our community facilities.
- When you use your ID key to enter a building, close the door behind you. Never allow others to enter a locked door behind you unless they are known to you.
- Safety in numbers. When walking to or from places on campus, walk with classmates or others walking in the direction you are headed.
- Check your surroundings and walk with confidence. Look around, stay aware of what is going on around you.
- Listen to your “gut feeling”. If something in the pit of your stomach says something isn’t right, follow your instincts! Get to a location with people and call Public Safety.
- Lock your vehicle and do not leave valuables in your car.
- Have your keys out and ready. Reach your car with keys in hand.
If a fire or other emergency requires vacating your building, you should take refuge as directed by the University official in charge.
Public Safety personnel ensure only firefighters and other emergency personnel can enter a building during an emergency. No one can enter a building until the Public Safety Department, or an emergency services official determines there is no emergency and announces that a building is safe to reenter.
Following an emergency, Public Safety personnel will remain on site until the emergency services personnel have departed, and everyone has safely reentered the building.
Fire
Each location maintains a fire alarm system, and fire alarm pull stations are strategically located in each building. Smoke, heat, and CO detectors are strategically located in the required locations. Emergency evacuation routes are posted in all residential hall suites and public areas. Any electrical device used on campus needs to be UL listed.
Anyone who discovers a fire on university property should activate an alarm (if available) and call 911 immediately before attempting to extinguish it. Under no circumstances should employees or students enter a hazardous area.
Tampering with or misusing any emergency equipment is a serious violation of campus policy and could result in a disciplinary hearing, a $500 fine, and loss of housing on campus. If a violation occurs in the residence halls and it cannot be determined who is individually responsible, a fine may be levied against the suite, floor, or building on which it occurred.
Per legal standards, an unobstructed 3-foot pathway into your room must always be maintained. In addition, 70% of walls must be free of wall decorations.
The following, but not limited to, violate the fire safety code and therefore are prohibited:
- Smoking, vaping, or tobacco use on campus is prohibited. This includes private residential spaces.
- Open flame or fire (i.e., candles or incense)
- Toaster ovens, hot plates, electric frying pans, toasters, crock pots
- Indoor grills
- Space heaters
- Blocking doorways or exits
- Storage of flammable liquids
- Tapestries not flat against a wall
- Fireworks and explosives
- Anything blocking or covering the room heater or using it as a shelf
- Storage of bikes or any other items in residence hall corridors, stairwells, entryways, or bathrooms
- Halogen Lights
- Decorative lights – unless they are LED
- Live trees or wreaths
- Additional furniture
- Anything near, covering, or attached to the smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, or heat sensors
- Items hanging from the ceiling or storing items near the ceiling that restrict the flow of air to the smoke detector or heat sensor (such as bulky items stored above wardrobes)
Upon the activation of a fire alarm or notification that an emergency exists, the occupants of a building will evacuate promptly and in an orderly fashion. Individuals evacuating a building should help those who may require special assistance whenever possible. Building evacuees must gather in the designated areas of refuge noted on the posted evacuation plan, as outlined below.
- Evacuate the building following the posted evacuation routes to designated assembly areas.
- Do NOT use elevators.
- Close doors as you leave to prevent the spread of fire.
- Do not open doors that feel hot to the touch.
- Check stairwell for smoke and heat. If present, use an alternate stairwell.
- Stay together with your class or group.
- Do not reenter the building unless released to do so by emergency personnel
The Public Safety and Residential Departments will conduct fire drills in residence halls once per semester. Unannounced fire drills may be conducted in residence halls to ensure that evacuation and other safety measures are correctly observed. Students are required to vacate the building immediately once a fire alarm sounds. Entrances to buildings and fire lanes must be free of obstacles. All students are required to be 25 feet from the building entrance during an alarm. Assume that all alarms are emergencies. Your residence hall staff will review proper evacuation routes and procedures with you during the first week of each semester.
Active Shooter
The University utilizes the RUN, HIDE, FIGHT process for responding to an active shooter.
There are three basic options: RUN, HIDE, or FIGHT. Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life.
- If possible, leave safely: RUN. Get to a safe place and alert others nearby to do the same. As soon as you are safe, call 911. Stay quiet, turn out lights, lock the door, and await instructions.
- If not possible to leave: HIDE. Call 911. Pull blinds, turn out lights, and lock the door if possible. Barricade the door with desks, tables, etc. Silence your cell phone. Position yourself away from windows and doors. Stay quiet and await instructions.
- FIGHT if the threat is imminent and the other two options aren’t possible. Improvise weapons from chairs, water bottles, fire extinguishers, or anything easily accessible. Commit to your actions.
Medical Emergency
If a true medical emergency:
- Call 911 and Public Safety on your campus.
- Tell the 911 dispatcher:
- Your location, including building and floor.
- Name and condition of patient.
- Information on medic alert bracelet, if present.
- If possible, arrange to have someone meet emergency personnel for direction to the exact location of the patient.
- Secure the area.
- Ensure the safety of the victim, but do not move them.
- Stay with the victim.
All other medical issues:
- Call the Wellness Center and/or Public Safety on your campus.
Hazardous Material
If unidentified substances or vapors are involved, assume they are toxic and hazardous until determined otherwise.
- Evacuate the affected area. Do not risk contact or further exposure to yourself.
- If an emergency or if anyone is in danger, call 911 or Public Safety on your campus.
- Report the nature and location of the material and any medical emergencies or concerns.
Power Outage
If unidentified substances or vapors are involved, assume they are toxic and hazardous until determined otherwise.
- Remain calm; provide assistance to others if necessary.
- If visibility is impaired by low light, wait for direction from staff. Emergency lights will come on automatically.
- Report outage and any related hazards to Public Safety.
- If necessary to evacuate the building, wait until it is safe to do so.
- If you become trapped in an elevator: Use the emergency call button on the elevator panel to call Public Safety or call Public Safety directly.
Suspicious Object
- Do not touch or disturb object.
- Notify your supervisor, resident hall director, or residence advisor.
- Call Public Safety on your campus and 911 as needed.
