Emergency Information/University of Virginia

Police Alert: Men report sexual assaults in residences near Grounds

Since September, Charlottesville Police have received multiple reports of nighttime apartment break-ins in residences adjacent to the University. Larceny is not a motive. Read more.

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Earthquake Response Message to the Community

Just after parents dropped off their students, some for the first time, our community experienced a significant earthquake. These events added stress to students, their families, faculty and staff at a time when the ordinary stressors of a new academic year were already heightened.

Earthquakes are a very rare occurrence in this region (in fact they are ranked lowest on our hazard ranking assessment). Many of our plans did not explicitly deal with responding to this kind of event. They will now. We have added an earthquake message to the pre-scripted communication system. The message will acknowledge an earthquake has occurred, warn of likely aftershocks and guide people to drop, cover, and hold-on during an earthquake.

Read the entire Earthquake Response Message to the Community.

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Protective Measures in an Earthquake

August 23, 2011 — A 5.8 earthquake centered near Mineral, between Charlottesville and Richmond, shook Central Virginia at around 1:50 p.m. Tuesday.

During An Earthquake:

• When you first feel shaking, immediately take cover under something sturdy: under your desk or in the hallway; Cover your head.
• Do not attempt to walk during the quake; you may be thrown to the ground.
• Do not try to go outside. The area immediately surrounding any building is extremely hazardous due to falling objects and breaking glass.
• If you are outside when a quake starts, move away from the sides of buildings, overhead power lines, chimneys, antennas, etc. Drop to the ground and protect your head.
• Accept that you will be frightened. There will be a great deal of noise, and the lights, except for emergency lighting, may go out.
• Expect the intensity of the shaking to fluctuate. It may increase and decrease several times before subsiding. Wait a few seconds after the shaking stops before leaving your protection.

Additional Information on the Office of Emergency Preparedness Website.

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Emergency Notification

In the event of an emergency, multiple communication methods will be deployed to reach as many people as possible.

Communication methods include:

• Fire alarm
• Siren
• UVa Alerts (text message and alternate email notification)
• U.Va. Home Page
• University email
• LCD screens
• Public address system announcements (where available)
• Local television and radio stations

See what the Web site will look like in the event of an emergency.

• Emergency Notification System Feedback Survey

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Be Prepared to Act

Safety of our people is the highest priority. Knowing what to do in an emergency is critical to your safety:

• If you discover an emergency situation, call 911. Remain calm and use common sense.
• Depending on the situation, evacuate or shelter-in-place.
  • Evacuate immediately upon request of authorities, upon hearing an alarm, or when remaining inside is dangerous or life-threatening.
  • Stay inside and move to an interior room if exiting the building is dangerous.
• Make one phone call to your out of town family contact and be brief; do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
• Protect yourself. Do not jeopardize your life or the lives of others by attempting to save personal or University property.
• Assist others, but do not exceed your training or knowledge when attempting to render first aid.
• Follow instructions from authorities. Do not cross official police barriers without authorization.
• Limit travel; keep the roads free for emergency vehicles.

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Emergency Procedures

Updated May 2010

For printable guidelines for what to do in case of an emergency download the Emergency Procedures Poster (PDF 64 KB).

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Critical Incident Management Plan

The Critical Incident Management Plan (CIMP) guides the University’s response actions in any emergency incident affecting the University of Virginia. The CIMP is activated when an emergency affecting the University reaches proportions that cannot be handled by established measures. This emergency may be sudden and unforeseen, or there may be varying periods of warning. The CIMP is flexible to accommodate contingencies of all types, magnitude and duration.

The University of Virginia's Critical Incident Management Plan is available as a Web page and a PDF (PDF 220 KB).

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University Response to the Earthquake in Japan

We are deeply saddened at the destruction caused by the earthquake and tsunamis in Japan. The University is monitoring the situation following these traumatic events.
Last Updated: March 18, 2011

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U.Va. Mobile

The U.Va. mobile site now includes information about how to contact U.Va. Police, get home safely, and what to do in an emergency. If information about a critical event or emergency is published to the U.Va. home page, it will also be available on the U.Va. Mobile home page. The following safety information is now available on U.Va. Mobile:

• U.Va. Police Emergency/Office numbers
• Blue-light phone information
• Safe Rides numbers and hours
• Yellow Cab ride reimbursement program information
• U.Va. Critical Alerts, if applicable
• Additional numbers and information from the Critical Incident web site.

- Get U.Va. Mobile

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State Resources

Virginia Department of Emergency Management
(804) 864-7001

Virginia Department of Health
(804) 864-7001

Ready Virginia.Gov
(866) 782-3470

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National Resources

Ready.Gov
(202) 282-8000

Department of Homeland Security
(202) 282-8000

U.S. State Department Travel Warnings
(888) 407-4747

Pandemic Flu
(800) 232-4636