Rowan University Emergency Information

Emergency Procedures and Communication Protocol

Rowan University is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment. From time to time, however, emergencies occur which are beyond the control of the University. What you do during those times can help resolve the situation quickly and safely.

Please familiarize yourself with the following emergency procedures. Call Dr. Timothy Michener, director of Public Safety, at 856-256-4566, if you have any questions or concerns.

General emergency procedures
Evacuating a building
Evacuating campus
Emergency Response Team
Communication during an emergency

General Emergency Procedure

In the event of an emergency such as fire, explosion, hazardous materials/waste spill or leak, or personal injury accident, call 911 and do the following:

  1. Tell the operator your name and the telephone number from which you are calling.
  2. Describe the location of the emergency.
  3. Describe the situation (i.e. smell of smoke, fire, chemicals).
  4. If possible, describe what is burning (i.e. wastebasket, fume hood) or what has spilled (i.e. acid, solvents).
  5. Hang up the phone only after the emergency operator has done so, if you are not in great personal danger.
  6. Tell the operator where you are going and/or how you can be reached.

If the emergency cannot be immediately contained:

  1. Initiate a fire alarm by activating the nearest Fire Alarm Box to start a building evacuation.
  2. Close the door of the room(s) involved on your way out of the room.
  3. If possible, shut off all utilities into the room, but don’t waste time attempting to do so.

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Evacuating a Building

Proceed to the nearest exit. Do not use elevators. Keep low or as close to the floor as possible if smoke is present at or near your eye level.

After you have left the building, move well away from it. Emergency Response Teams need room to maneuver. Do not re-enter the building until a police or security officer has given an “all clear.”

Building captains assist in evacuating buildings in emergency situations. They meet with public safety officials every semester to discuss safety issues.

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Evacuating the Campus

The Emergency Response Team would order the general evacuation of the campus in cooperation with the local, county and state civil authorities. Be prepared to follow the directions provided through the Text-Message Alert System and by police and security officers.

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Emergency Response Team and Communication Protocol

In the event of an emergency, when 911 is called, Rowan police or security officers will be the first to arrive to the scene. Once the officer assess the situation, he or she will notify Rowan's dispatcher who will then notify the director and other needed personnel. The director, in turn, will notify the President's Office, which will begin relaying information to a team or responders and to the University community.

There are situations that the director of Public Safety will have the discretion to contact the University community without consulting the president or the Emergency Response Team. The public's safety is the single most important determining factor in influencing which communication protocol is chosen.

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Communication during and emergency

Always call 911 if you are involved in or are witnessing an emergency. If the situation deems it necessary, Rowan will update the University community via:

  • Text-Message Alert System
  • Email
  • Voicemail
  • Rowan's homepage (www.rowan.edu)
  • Media (radio, television and newspapers)
  • Group meetings

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