Emergency Procedures you need to know when on a NOVA Campus!

FIRE
• Activate the nearest fire alarm and call 9-1-1 if possible.
If there are no fire alarms, knock on doors and yell “fire”
as you exit the building.
• Evacuate the building.
• Do not use elevators!
• Feel closed doors with the back of your hand.
Do not open if doors are hot.
• Move well away from the building when evacuating and
assemble at designated assembly areas.
• Do not re-enter the building until authorized by
emergency personnel.

VIOLENT INCIDENT
• Immediately seek protection/shelter in place.
• Secure area by locking or barricading door using
whatever means available.
• Stay behind solid objects away from door.
• Call 9-1-1.
• Minimize noise that may draw attention to your location:
turn off lights, computers, and radios and put cell phones
on vibrate.
• Follow all directions of authorities; do not challenge
law enforcement.
• When reporting an incident, indicate your location.

SUSPICIOUS
PERSON/OBJECT
SUSPICIOUS PERSON
• Do not physically confront the person.
• Do not let anyone into a locked building/office.
• Do not block the person’s access to an exit.
• Call 9-1-1. Provide as much information as possible
about the person and his or her direction of travel.

SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE
• Do not touch or disturb the object.
• Do not use cellular phones or two-way radios.
• Call 9-1-1.
• Notify your supervisor or instructor.
• Be prepared to evacuate and take personal
belongings with you.


SEVERE WEATHER/
TORNADO
• Prepare to shelter in place if ordered.
• Remain calm and alert.
• Relocate to designated shelter areas; remain clear of
glass windows or doors.
• If you cannot reach the designated area, use an interior
hallway on the lowest floor possible.
• If you are outside and unable to get to a building for
protection, move away from the tornado’s path at a right
angle. If there is no time to escape, lie flat in the
nearest depression (i.e., ditch or ravine).


BOMB THREAT/EXPLOSION
• Notify Campus Police at 9-1-1.
• Do not use cellular phones or two-way radios.
• Do NOT activate the fire alarm system to evacuate.
• Evacuate the building, as directed.
• Do not re-enter the building until cleared by
authorized personnel.
• Untrained persons should not try to rescue people who are
inside a collapsed building. Wait for emergency personnel.

Please visit the College's Emergency Preparedness website for more information.

Hurricane Season Starts June 1st

Hurricane Basics

Warnings and Advisories
Know the difference between "watches" and "warnings."

Hurricane Warnings and Advisories

Tropical Storm Watch
A tropical storm watch is issued when tropical storm conditions, including winds from 39 to 73
mph, pose a possible threat to a specified area within 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Warning
A tropical storm warning is issued when tropical storm conditions are expected to affect a specified area within 36 hours or less.

Hurricane Watch
A hurricane watch is issued for a specified area when hurricane conditions, including sustained winds of 74 mph or greater, are possible within 48 hours.

Hurricane Warning
A hurricane warning is issued for a specified area when hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours. In coastal or near-coastal areas, a hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water, or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves, continues, even though the winds may have subsided below hurricane intensity.

Evacuation Order
The most important instruction you will receive. If issued, leave immediately