Emergency Procedures

You will typically be notified of an emergency by an evacuation alarm, UPEI SAFE, email, text or intercom, and must be prepared to act if you are the first person to discover, or to be affected by, the emergency.

You should always take action to ensure your own safety. Once you are safe, you should ensure that others in the area are aware of the emergency as well.

Emergency procedures may include

  • Evacuation
  • Seeking shelter
  • Lockdown

Evacuation Procedures and Assembly Points

Each building has a designated Chief Evacuation Warden who is responsible for developing and maintaining an effective evacuation plan. This includes holding drills and communicating the plan, including primary and secondary assembly points, to members of the building through departmental meetings. Buildings also have a designated Floor or Area Warden(s) with alternates, as well as designated Guardians, who are responsible for assisting disabled persons.

In the event that a building evacuation is necessary (SAFETY AND TIME PERMITTING):

DO

  • Activate the nearest PULL STATION.
  • Call 9-911, if possible.
  • Leave immediately.
  • Individuals with disabilities may need assistance. 
  • Gather at the designated assembly point.

DO NOT

  • Assume that the alarm is false.
  • Re-enter the building until told to do so by Security officers or leave the designated assembly point area.

Shelter-in-Place

Is the response required for situations when there are no immediate threats to the safety of the occupant but certain steps must be taken to remain safe.

  • Remain in the building, ideally an interior room that can have all the windows and doors closed until an "all clear" is communicated.

Lockdown

A lockdown of a building or group of buildings is an emergency procedure intended to secure and protect occupants who are in the proximity of an active and immediate threat. This procedure is used when it is more dangerous to evacuate a building than stay inside.

How to respond to an active threat:

  • Find a safe place. 
  • Contact 911 and provide details when it is safe to do so.
  • Close and secure windows, blinds and curtains.  
  • Turn off lights and audio equipment. 
  • Take cover behind walls, furniture, or in a corner out of sight of windows.
  • Turn cell phone ringer to silent and be quiet.
  • Stay where you are until emergency response (UPEI Security Services, Charlottetown police) freeze you.
  • During a lockdown, if a fire alarm rings, DO NOT leave the room unless you smell smoke or see fire.
Emergency Preparedness

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