Skip to main content
Parents and Families home
Emergency

Campus Safety and Security

Fire truck

Security Shuttle

The Night Security Shuttle operates between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. and provides transportation to on-campus locations only.

Submit a Tip

For urgent matters, always DIAL 911.

For non-urgent matters, use the resources below to submit a tip to Auburn Police or AU Campus Safety.
AU ALERT
Auburn University's emergency notification system

Training Opportunities

Emergency Management offers training sessions throughout the year, both virtually and in-person.

Emergency Preparedness

Tap below to view emergency guidelines for each incident.

Active Attacker

Run/Escape (if it is safe to do so)

  • Have an escape route and plan in mind.
  • Leave your belongings behind.
  • Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow.
  • Warn and prevent others from entering an area where the active attacker may be.

Hide (if escaping is not an option)

  • Hide in an area out of the active attacker’s view.
  • Lock and barricade doors, close blinds and turn off lights.
  • Silence your cell phone and remain quiet.
  • Stay in place until law enforcement gives you the all clear.

Fight (as a last resort)

  • Fight as a last resort and only when your life is in danger.
  • Attempt to incapacitate the attacker.
  • Recruit others to ambush the attacker with makeshift weapons like chairs, fire extinguishers, books, etc.
  • Act with physical aggression, yell and throw items to distract the attacker.

Call 911 when you are in a safe location

When law enforcement arrives:

  • Remain calm and follow officer instructions.
  • Drop items in your hands and keep your hands visible.
  • Avoid quick movements toward officers.
  • Avoid pointing, screaming or yelling.

Information to provide to 911 operators:

  • Location of the active attacker
  • Your physical location, including building number and room number
  • Number of attackers
  • Physical description of attacker(s)
  • Number and type of weapon(s) being used
  • Number of potential victims at the location

Bomb Threat

If you receive a threat of any kind against the university or a person:

  • If you received the threat by phone, stay on the phone with the caller. Attempt to get as much information as possible from the threatening caller.
  • If the call was received on a university landline, trace the call as soon as the caller hangs up:
    • Get a new dial tone on the same line.
    • Dial *57 to initiate a call trace.
  • DIAL 911 IMMEDIATELY. If you are still on the phone with the threatening caller, have someone around you dial 911.
  • Auburn Police will immediately respond to your 911 call. Officers will assess the threat and advise the Auburn University Department of Campus Safety & Security if it is necessary to evacuate a building or any part of campus.
  • Many factors must be considered when evaluating response to a bomb threat, including the nature and credibility of the threat; activities occurring in the building or area at the time; potential hazards inside and outside the building; and other factors. Emergency responders should make decisions about the best course of action based on the totality of the circumstances.
  • If you are told to evacuate, exit quickly and quietly.
  • Be observant for any out-of-place or suspicious items located near evacuation routes or assembly areas and notify emergency responders if you see any such items. Make sure that someone who can respond is aware of the concern.
  • Emergency responders should check assembly areas prior to, if possible, or soon after their arrival on the scene for secondary devices.
  • Remain in the assembly area until you are advised that it is safe to return to normal operations by emergency personnel or university administrators.

Bomb Threat Checklist

REMAIN CALM.

  • Keep the caller on the line as long as possible.
  • Listen carefully to the caller’s voice and words.
  • Record the time and caller ID number if shown.

Ask the caller the following questions and write down the answers as soon as possible:

  • Where is the bomb?
  • When will it explode?
  • What does the bomb look like?
  • What kind of bomb is it?
  • What will cause it to explode?
  • Did you place the bomb?
  • Why?
  • What is your name?
  • Are you an employee/student?
  • Where are you calling from?

Write down any information such as:

  • Background noises
  • Gender of the caller
  • Voice pitches and patterns
  • Exact time of call
  • Exact words of caller
  • Date
  • Phone number at which call was received
  • Any other information that stands out or seems unusual to you
  • Call 911 and report the event immediately.
  • All bomb threats and suspicious packages must be treated as a serious matter.
  • If a bomb or suspicious package is discovered, do not handle the package. Get away.
  • Do not use cell phones, radios or other wireless devices in the building or area.
  • Public safety personnel will advise regarding evacuation.
  • If evacuation is ordered, look around as you exit for anything suspicious or out of place.
  • Upon exiting the building, assemble outside and remain there until instructed it is safe to return.
  • Follow all instructions from public safety personnel.
  • If you noticed anything suspicious while evacuating, tell public safety personnel.
  • Do not re-enter the building unless instructed to do so by public safety personnel or the building manager.

Chemical Spill

If you feel that a spill may be hazardous, take the following actions immediately:

  • NEVER attempt to contain or clean up a hazardous material spill unless you are trained to do so.
  • Alert personnel in the vicinity and evacuate the area.
  • Close all doors and turn off air conditioners and heaters, if safe to do so.
  • Activate the fire alarm pull station as you exit the building.
  • Call 911 to report the spill when you reach a safe location.

Be prepared to provide the following information to the dispatcher:

  • Your name, location and callback number
  • Identity of the spilled chemical, if known, and the amount spilled
  • Location of the spill, including building and room number
  • Known or suspected hazards associated with the spill
  • If personnel have been exposed to the spill, provide details on the extent of exposure and any injuries or symptoms the victim(s) may be experiencing.
  • Remain at the location to meet responders when they arrive and warn others from entering the area.
  • If anyone had contact with the hazardous material, they should be isolated and await treatment by emergency personnel.
  • Do not re-enter the building until instructed to do so by emergency personnel.
  • Notify Risk Management & Safety at (334) 844-4870.

In addition, the following actions may be taken as appropriate:

  • Remove contaminated clothing.
  • Flush the affected area with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes.
  • Provide first aid if necessary and you are trained to do so.

Fire

Exit the Area Immediately

  • Close all doors as you leave, taking keys and medications with you if possible. DO NOT delay evacuation to retrieve these items.
  • Activate the closest fire alarm pull station along your evacuation route.
  • Notify others as you leave.
  • Call 911 and report the emergency after you are out of the building and safe.

If the fire is small enough, you may attempt to extinguish it with a portable fire extinguisher, ONLY IF:

  • The fire alarm pull station has been activated
  • 911 has been notified
  • You are properly trained
  • If leaving a room, feel the door with the back of your hand before opening it. Do not open any door that feels hot.
  • If smoke is present, stay low. The best quality air is near the floor.
  • Always use the stairs to exit upper floors.
  • DO NOT use the elevator.
  • Once the building is evacuated, do not re-enter it for any reason. Return to the building only when instructed to do so by emergency responders or administrators.
  • DO NOT return for personal belongings.
  • Direct and assist visitors and persons with disabilities who appear to need direction or assistance.
  • Notify Risk Management & Safety at (334) 844-4870 that a fire has occurred after you exit the building.

If You Are Trapped and Cannot Evacuate

  • Close any doors between you and the fire.
  • If available, wedge wet towels or cloth materials along the bottom of the door to keep out smoke.
  • Call 911 and notify the dispatcher of your location.
  • Remain on the phone with the 911 dispatcher as long as possible.
  • Break a window only as a last resort, such as needing oxygen to breathe.
  • Use caution when breaking any window.

Response to Fire Alarms

  • If the alarm sounds and/or emergency strobes begin to blink, evacuate immediately.
  • NEVER assume that a fire alarm is a false alarm.

For more information, click here .

Medical Emergency

REMAIN CALM.

  • Call 911 and report the emergency. Request that an ambulance be sent.
  • Send someone to meet EMS and rescue crews at the street.
  • Do not move the person unless there is a threat to life in leaving them in that location.
  • Provide as much information to the dispatcher regarding the illness or injury as possible, including the nature of the injury, location of the person and age of the person.
  • If trained to administer first aid, such as bleeding control and CPR, do so.
  • Be sure to wear personal protective equipment. Be aware of hazards associated with blood-borne pathogens.
  • Do not come into contact with body fluids.
  • If exposed to suspected infectious materials, wash the exposed area thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention.
  • Do not jeopardize your health or the health of the patient. Wait for professional help if you are not able to provide proper first aid safely.
  • Remain with the individual until help arrives.
  • Comfort the patient and reassure them that medical assistance is on the way.
  • If the medical emergency is related to an on-the-job injury or a visitor injury or accident, notify Risk Management & Safety at (334) 844-4870 as soon as possible after the victim has been transported by ambulance.

Physical Threat

If a person enters or threatens to enter the building for the purpose of causing physical violence to persons or property:

  • Call 911 as soon as possible. Explain to the dispatcher what is happening.
  • Be sure to give clear directions to the dispatcher.
  • If safe, stay on the phone with the 911 dispatcher as long as possible.
  • Remove students and yourself from any danger, if possible.
  • Barricade yourself and students in a room away from the intruder.
  • If anyone becomes injured or needs medical attention, notify the 911 dispatcher.
  • Do not confront the intruder.
  • Do not leave your safe position until instructed to do so by police or emergency responders.

Additional Resources for Students in Distress

If you are aware of a distressed student and are concerned about their well-being, please contact the following resources for assistance:

  • Student Counseling Services
    844-5123
  • Safe Harbor
    844-7233
  • Cater Center
    844-7277
  • AU Medical Clinic
    844-4416
  • Vice President of Student Affairs
    844-1300
  • East Alabama Medical Center Emergency Room
    (334) 528-1150

For additional information or referrals, call Educational Support Services at 844-4710.

Student Counseling Services:
click here.

Severe Weather

Severe Weather Preparedness

  • Auburn University has installed a weather monitoring radar system that can track approaching storms across the state of Alabama and beyond.
  • Auburn University maintains contact with local and state emergency management agencies, as well as the National Weather Service.
  • Upon receipt of a severe weather watch or warning, tone alert radios in buildings across campus will be activated. The nature of the emergency will be announced along with instructions on how to remain safe.
  • Upon receipt of a tornado warning, outdoor warning sirens will be activated.
  • The Lee County Emergency Management Agency tests the outdoor tornado sirens every fourth Wednesday at noon.

Definitions

Watch: Conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather in the Auburn area. Everyone should closely monitor the situation in case conditions worsen.

Warning: Severe weather has been observed, and there is an imminent threat to the Auburn area. Listen closely to instructions provided by weather radios and emergency officials.

Thunderstorm: Frequently associated with high winds, cloud-to-ground lightning, heavy rain and tornadoes.

Lightning Safety

  • Stay away from telephones, electrical appliances and plumbing.
  • If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning.
  • Go to a safe shelter immediately.

In the Event of Severe Weather

  • If you receive an alert indicating there is a tornado warning, take shelter immediately in designated shelter locations. Shelter locations are clearly marked with signs and identified on building diagrams in building-specific emergency plans.
  • If shelter is not available, move to the center and lowest point of your building.
  • Stay away from windows and doors to prevent injury from glass or other flying objects.
  • Cover your head with a heavy or bulky object to protect yourself.
  • Do not go outdoors to observe the storm. Trained storm spotters will monitor the situation.
  • If you are in a vehicle, seek shelter in a building, ditch or other safe location. Automobiles are very dangerous during high winds.
  • If flood water rises, do not attempt to wade or travel through the water. Even small amounts of water can be extremely dangerous.
  • Report any injuries or damage to the 911 dispatcher and provide as much information as possible.
  • Once the storm has passed, notify Campus Safety & Security at (334) 844-8888 of any damages or injuries.

Severe Weather FAQ, click here .

Shelter-in-Place

Shelter or secure in place refers to the need to remain where you are for your own safety.

Employees and students generally cannot be forced to shelter in place; however, there are circumstances when university officials and emergency personnel will order that everyone must stay where they are for their own safety and well-being. You should consider how and where to shelter in place prior to needing to perform this measure.

A shelter or secure in place order may be issued for several reasons:

  • Severe weather
  • Hazardous materials
  • Intruder on campus
  • Hostage situation
  • Any situation where it is safest to remain where you are to avoid an outside threat

The reason for the shelter or secure in place order may not be immediately communicated to everyone.

If a shelter in place order is issued:

  • Remain alert for instructions and updates from emergency personnel and university administrators.
  • If class is in session, do not allow students to leave if possible. If you are in another building, such as a residence hall, have everyone remain there.
  • Keep everyone CALM.
  • Stay away from windows, doors and exterior walls.

Severe Weather

You should know where the shelter areas are located in your building. If you do not, attempt to seek shelter in the basement or the innermost portion of the building while avoiding windows and glass doors.

Intruder

  • Secure doors if possible and seek concealment away from doors and windows.
  • Turn off the lights and close blinds or curtains.
  • If you are unable to lock the door, attempt to barricade it with furniture without endangering yourself or others.

All Clear

Remain sheltered until emergency personnel announce that the situation is clear. Do not leave until you are certain of the identity or source of the announcement.

Strange Odor

Evacuate the immediate area.

  • Turn off all air conditioners and heaters when leaving, if it is safe to do so.
  • From a safe location, call Facilities at (334) 844-HELP and report the odor.

Be as specific as possible about the nature of the odor:

  • When was it first noticed?
  • Is it recognizable?
  • Is the cause known?
  • Remain outside until instructed that it is safe to re-enter the building.
  • If additional assistance is needed, Facilities will notify the appropriate departments.
  • Notify Risk Management & Safety at (334) 844-4870 that an event has occurred.

Suspicious Package

Suspicious packages are any items capable of concealing or containing harmful substances that have been left unattended and/or visibly show indicators of posing a potential threat.

Characteristics of Suspicious Packages or Mail

  • Excessive postage
  • Handwritten or poorly typed addresses
  • Misspellings of common words
  • Strange return address or no return address
  • Incorrect titles or title without a name
  • Not addressed to a specific person
  • Marked with restrictions, such as “Personal,” “Confidential” or “Do not x-ray”
  • Marked with any threatening language
  • Postmarked from a city or state that does not match the return address

Key Indicators

  • Oily stains
  • Discolorations
  • Odor
  • Excessive packaging material
  • Excessive weight
  • Ticking sound and/or protruding wires or aluminum foil

Additionally, items such as a briefcase, gym bag or suitcase may be deemed suspicious solely because they are discovered unattended in a public place or near a sensitive facility.

What to Do with a Suspicious Package, Letter or Container

  • Do not panic. It is important for all of your actions to be careful and deliberate.
  • If the item is leaking or clearly contains an unknown substance, do not touch, move or attempt to clean up the unknown material. Wash hands with soap and water as soon as possible.
  • Isolate the area and evacuate others from the immediate vicinity.
  • DIAL 911 to report the situation.
  • Do not use radios or cell phones.
  • Make a list of names and contact information for all individuals who may have come into contact with the item and unknown substance. Provide this information to emergency responders.
  • Carefully follow the instructions provided by emergency responders and university administrators.

Utility Emergencies

Many times, problems with utilities will not be emergencies.

To report a non-emergency utility problem, call the Facilities Help Line at 844-HELP. However, if the situation is an emergency, call 911.

Under no circumstances should you attempt to turn utilities back on once they have been shut off, even if you were the person who turned them off. Leave this task to qualified utility personnel.

Gas Leak

  • If you smell gas or discover a gas leak, leave the area immediately and warn others as you evacuate.
  • Call 911 from a safe location. Tell the dispatcher your location and describe the emergency.
  • DO NOT attempt to correct the leak or problem unless you are qualified to do so.
  • Provide assistance to individuals in your immediate area who may be unfamiliar with the building or evacuation routes.
  • Remain outside until emergency personnel advise that it is safe to re-enter the building.

Water Leak and Power Failure (Non-Emergency Failures)

  • Report non-emergency water leaks and power failures to the Facilities Help Line at 844-HELP.
  • Shut down and protect critical equipment, if safe to do so.
  • If you are in a dark area, proceed cautiously to an area with emergency lighting.

Power Lines

  • Call 911 to report the location of downed power lines.
  • Treat any downed wire as though it is energized.
  • Telephone or cable television wires touching a power line could also become energized and should be avoided.
  • Stay clear of areas with heavy debris or downed trees, as they may conceal energized power lines.

Weapons on Campus

If you believe that a student or other person is in possession of a weapon:

  • Get away from that person.
  • Lock yourself in a secure area, if possible.
  • Call 911 and explain the situation in detail.
  • Remain on the phone with the 911 dispatcher as long as possible.
  • Remove students and yourself from any danger, if possible.
  • If you fear the person, barricade yourself and other students in a room away from the person.
  • If anyone becomes injured or needs medical attention, notify the 911 dispatcher.
  • Do not confront the armed person.
  • Remain in a safe area until instructed to leave by police or emergency responders.

Emergency Contacts

During an emergency, always call 911 first.