These instructions serves as a quick reference in the event of an emergency. Refer to the appropriate section for relevant information. For additional information on safety policies or procedures, contact Environmental Health and Safety at (617) 358-7840 (BUMC) or (617) 353-4094 (CRC), or visit www.bu.edu/ehs. You can download a PDF version of the instructions from the following link.
Fire Response | Evacuation
Upon detection of smoke or fire follow R.A.C.E.
Rescue/Remove person(s) from the fire scene/room.
Alert/Activate the nearest fire pull station, alert other staff, and call 911 then #2 above to report location and details.
Confine fire/smoke by closing doors and windows.
Extinguish/Evacuate Extinguish a small fire if safe to do so or to escape a large fire. Evacuate building immediately. Report to department rally point.
Do NOT use elevators.
Those needing special assistance should be evacuated to nearest stairwell, and notify emergency responders.
For more information regarding fire safety please visit the EHS Fire Safety Page.
Accidents | Injuries | Medical Emergencies
Call Public Safety at #2 above for medical assistance
Exposures | All lab-related injuries or exposures must be reported to #3 above, Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP) | 617-414-ROHP (7647). 72 E. Concord St., Evans 825
For minor injuries:
Students: Student Health Services | 617-353-3575
881 Commonwealth Ave.
Employees: Occupational Health Center | 617-353-6630
930 Commonwealth Ave, #1200
Hazardous Materials Spill | Exposure
Notify personnel and isolate the area.
Contain the spill if safe to do so.
Protect nearby drains.
To report the spill, call #1
Do not attempt to clean large spills, highly hazardous spills, spills that have migrated to drains or any spill that could result in adverse exposure.
For immediate medical assistance, call #2 above.
To report lab exposures, call #3 above.
For more information regarding hazardous materials spills please visit the EHS spills page.
Utilities Failure
Call #1 above
Elevator: If trapped, call #1 above from telephone.
Electric: Unplug non-essential equipment and plug in essentials to red power outlets
Water: Call #1 Bottled water will be supplied.
Workplace Violence | Active Shooter
Follow S.A.F.E.
Secure your area.
Close doors
Keep out of hallways
Stay in your location until you hear the all clear
Alert by calling #2
Follow directions of emergency responders.
Exit when directed.
Exit your area only when directed to do so by Public Safety officers or Police Officers.
Active Shooter – Run, Hide, Fight
Run: Escape if possible.
Hide: Find place out of sight, lock door, barricade entrance, silence phones/pagers.
Fight (last resort): Act aggressively, do not hesitate.
In order to keep yourself and others safe, always remember:SEE SOMETHING….SAY SOMETHING
Suspicious Package | Bomb Threat
Suspicious Package
Do not touch or disturb object
Call #2 above and provide as much information as possible
Prepare to evacuate
Some possible indicators of suspicious package are leaky package, ticking noise, exposed wiring, suspicious hardware, no return address, incorrect address, and addressed to someone unknown or misspelled name. There may be any combination of these indicators that could possibly alert an individual to a package.
Telephoned Bomb Threat
Get as much information as possible – note details such as accent, sex, age, background.
Keep caller on phone
Have a co-worker call #2 above to report details.
Weather Emergencies
Any weather-related event that may affect normal operations to the university may activate the BU Emergency Response Plan.
Information will be relayed via BU Today | Send Word Now | BU Alert
Speak to your supervisor about departmental coverage.
Emergency Management Phases
PHASE A: Alert of potential, impending or actual event handled by those on site at the time.
Manager actions: Be aware. No response necessary unless instructed to respond.
Staff Actions: Continue normal duties
PHASE B: Requires other departments or resources
Manager actions: Inform your personnel about the emergency, and coordinate departmental response when directed to do so.
Staff Actions: Remain on duty, report to your immediate supervisor and follow their instructions.
PHASE C: Requires outside assistance and establishment of a Command Center
Manager actions: Inform your personnel about the emergency, assess departmental resources and staffing. Call in additional staffing as needed and coordinate departmental response when directed to do so.
Staff Actions: Remain on duty, report to your immediate supervisor and follow their instructions.