Emergency BU AlertBU Alert: Boston University’s Charles River, Fenway, and Medical Campuses will be closed starting 12PM Sunday, January 25 and Monday, January 26, 2026. Please visit bu.edu/today for more information.
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. Download a PDF of the instructions here. If you would like to report a near miss or an incident, please click here.
Fire Response | Evacuation
R.A.C.E. if you detect smoke or fire
Rescue people from the fire scene of fire
Alert other staff, call 911 then #2 above to report location and details.
Confine by closing doors and windows.
Extinguish/Evacuate only if safe or to escape a large fire. Evacuate building. Report to department rally point. Do NOT use elevators.
For special assistance, evacuate 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 #2 above for medical assistance
Find defibrillators at maps.bu.edu >> Campus >> Safety >> AEDs
For minor injuries:
Students: Student Health Services | 617-353-3575
881 Commonwealth Ave.
Employees: Occupational Health Center | 617-353-6630
Report lab-related injuries/exposures by calling #3 above, Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP) | 617-414-ROHP (7647). 72 E. Concord St., Evans 825
Hazardous Materials Spill
Notify personnel and isolate the area.
Contain the spill if safe to do so.
Protect nearby drains.
Call #1 to report the spill
Do not attempt to clean unknown chemicals, large spills, highly hazardous spills, or any spill that could result in adverse exposure. More information regarding how to handle spills can be found on the EHS spills page.
Utilities Failure
Call #1 above to alert of utilities failure
Elevator: If trapped, call #1 above from telephone.
Electric: Plug essential equipment into red power outlets; unplug all non-essential equipment
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.
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. Provide as much information as possible
Prepare to evacuate
Emailed Bomb Threat
Leave the message open on your device and Call #2
Print, screenshot, or copy the message sand subject line. Note the date and time.
Telephoned Bomb Threat
Remain calm & DO NOT HANG UP.
Record the conversation if possible
Signal other staff members to listen and have them call #2