BU Emergency Instructions

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 as directed by fire alarm system or emergency response authorities. 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.

Injuries | Medical Emergencies | Exposures

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
  - Employee injury reporting, Conduent @ 1-(833)-951-2415

Hazardous Materials Spill

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, or any spill that could result in adverse exposure.

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 Alternate water sources will be provided as necessary.

Workplace Violence | Active Shooter

Follow S.A.F.E.

Secure your area.
Alert by calling #2
Follow directions of emergency responders.
Exit when directed.

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

Telephoned Bomb Threat

Remain calm & DO NOT HANG UP. Record the conversation if possible
If possible, signal other staff members to listen & call #2
If the phone has a display, write down the number
Write down the exact wording of the threat
Keep caller on the line for as long as possible and use the bomb threat checklist to gather as much information as you can
Fill out the Bomb Threat Checklist immediately
Be available for interviews with the building’s emergency response team and law enforcement.

Emailed Bomb Threat

Leave the message open on your device
Call #2
Print, photograph, or copy the message sand subject line. Be sure to note the date and time.

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 Website | BU Today | BU Alert
Speak to your supervisor about departmental coverage.

BU Emergency Instructions

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 as directed by fire alarm system or emergency response authorities. Report to department rally point.

Do NOT use elevators.

Those needing special assistance should be evacuated to nearest stairwell, and notify emergency responders.

Injuries | Medical Emergencies | Exposures

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:

Hazardous Materials Spill

Notify personnel and isolate the area.

Contain the spill if safe to do so.

Protect nearby drains.

To report the spill, call #1

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 Alternate water sources will be provided as necessary.

Workplace Violence | Active Shooter

Follow S.A.F.E.

Active Shooter – Run, Hide, Fight

Suspicious Package | Bomb Threat

Suspicious Package

Telephoned Bomb Threat

Emailed Bomb Threat

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 Website | BU Today | 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.

PHASE B: Requires other departments or resources

PHASE C: Requires outside assistance and establishment of a Command Center