At Metro State University, we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This emergency preparedness guide provides essential information and procedures to support individual needs during emergencies.
Immediate Response:
If you receive or overhear a bomb threat, immediately call Police at 911 and/or Metro Security at 651-793-1717. Complete the Bomb Threat Checklist as thoroughly as possible and provide it to responding emergency personnel. Do not activate a fire alarm for a threat unless directed by emergency personnel.
Threats may be communicated in various ways, such as a written note, telephone, or electronic communication. Follow these guidelines for specific types of threats:
Written Threats:
Emailed Threats:
Other Threats:
If you receive a bomb threat in person or overhear such a threat, obtain the following information if possible and practical:
Procedure/Action to Take:
University Investigation/Procedure May Include:
Evacuation:
Clearance:
Bomb Threat Checklist: /sites/default/files/2024-08/Threatening%20Phone%20Call%20Guide.docx
This detailed guide ensures that all members of the Metro State University community are prepared to handle bomb threats efficiently and safely. Familiarize yourself with these procedures to ensure a prompt and effective response in the event of a threat.
The university may change its operational state for part of a day, a whole day, or multiple days. There are three general operating states:
Cancellation of classes does not excuse any employee from work. Faculty and staff are required to stay at work for their regularly scheduled work hours. Non-teaching employees of the university, if approved by their supervisor in advance, may take personal leave, vacation leave, or use earned compensatory time when classes are canceled if they wish to be excused from work. In the event of weather-related cancellations, supervisors are encouraged to grant an employee’s last-minute request to use leave or compensatory time if department operations will not be critically impacted.
Notifications of Class Cancellations
Campus Closure
In extreme conditions, the campus may be closed and all functions, including in-person classes and events, will cease. Essential employees will need to report to work during campus closings. Notification of campus closure will be placed on the University website and email notices sent to students and staff.
Notifications
For detailed operational procedures, notifications, and contact information during short-term campus closures (up to 6 days), please contact university administration.
Road Conditions Hotline:
The Department of Transportation "511" telephone service and website inform travelers of weather-related road closures as well as up-to-the-minute metro-area traffic reports.
This comprehensive guide ensures that all members of the Metro State University community are aware of the procedures to follow during weather-related emergencies, class cancellations, and campus closures. Familiarize yourself with these steps to ensure safety and preparedness in any situation.
Emergency code blue phones have one panic button that, when pressed, dials directly into the safety officer's cell phone. They are to be used for emergency calls only.
Emergency code blue phones are installed in the parking lots of the Saint Paul campus at:
The evacuation of all or part of the campus will be announced and, depending on circumstances, directed by emergency personnel, Metro Security, Facilities Services, or administrators. All persons may be asked to immediately vacate the site in question and may be directed to relocate to a specific site.
Evacuation Procedures for Individuals with Disabilities or Others Needing Assistance
- If you are permanently or temporarily disabled or otherwise in need of assistance, please inform Accessibility Resources https://www.metrostate.edu/accessibility to help determine an action plan based on your specific needs.
Shelter in Place:
In the event of an emergency, University Administration may notify the campus community to either shelter-in-place or go into lockdown. This means to seek immediate refuge and remain during the emergency.
This comprehensive guide ensures that all members of the Metro State University community are aware of the procedures to follow in both evacuation and shelter-in-place scenarios. Please familiarize yourself with these steps to ensure a quick and efficient response in any situation.
Immediate Actions:
1. See or Smell Smoke:
2. Fire Alarms:
Evacuation Procedures:
1. Evacuate All Rooms:
2. Do Not Use Elevators:
3. Assisting Disabled Persons:
4. Assembly Areas:
Using a Fire Extinguisher:
1. When to Use:
2. If You Fight the Fire:
If Caught in Smoke:
1. Stay Low:
If Trapped in a Room Due to Fire or Smoke:
1. Call Metro Security:
2. Create Barriers:
3. Signal for Help:
If Clothing Is on Fire (Stop, Drop, and Roll):
1. Direct or Assist:
Additional Reminders:
1. Fire Alarms:
2. Know the Locations:
This comprehensive guide ensures that all members of the Metro State University community are aware of the procedures to follow in the event of a fire. Familiarize yourself with these steps to ensure a quick and efficient response in any situation.
Immediate Actions:
1. Evacuate the Area:
2. Report Chemical Spills:
3. Safety Precautions:
4. Assisting Victims:
5. Do Not Return:
This comprehensive guide ensures that all members of the Metro State University community are aware of the procedures to follow in the event of an environmental spill involving hazardous materials. Familiarize yourself with these steps to ensure a quick and efficient response in any situation.
An imminent threat may be a cause for a lockdown or lockout. The purpose of a lockdown/lockout is to minimize exposure to danger by securing yourself in a safe area. A lockdown/lockout would be implemented when requested by campus security, local law enforcement, fire department, campus administration or any other credible source of information. Lockdown/Lockout notification will be provided through the campus PA system, Star Alert, or other means of notification.
Access cards will NOT WORK in a LOCKDOWN/LOCKOUT due to security issues.
What is the difference between Lockout and Lockdown?
Lockdown – Violent Actions are INSIDE the buildings.
Lockout – Violent Actions are OUTSIDE the buildings, around the property or near our location.
What will Security do?
With every situation, we follow our basic protocols and then adjust accordingly.
Officers will do the following:
Campus Lockdown Immediate Action Plan (Violence INSIDE the building)
When the condition causing the lockdown has been eliminated, an “all clear” announcement will be
made over the campus PA system. Emergency responders will also walk through the campus and clear
areas on a floor-by-floor basis
Campus Lockout Immediate Action Plan (Violence OUTSIDE buildings)
When the condition causing the lockout has been eliminated, an “all clear” announcement will be
made over the campus PA system.
Immediate Response:
If you are involved in or witness any medical emergency, immediately call 911 or Metro Security at 651-793-1717
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
AEDs are available on campus and can be used in cases of cardiac arrest. Familiarize yourself with their locations and usage instructions.
Non-Emergency Situations When Student Health Services is Closed:
First Aid and Large-Scale Emergencies:
Security is prepared to offer basic first aid.
American Red Cross AED Instructions: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/aed/using-an-aed/aed-steps
Narcan Use Guidance
Immediate Response: If you are involved in or witness any medical emergency, immediately call 911 or Metro Security at 651-793-1717.
Narcan Overview: Narcan (naloxone) is a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. It can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped due to an opioid overdose.
Narcan Locations: For location reference, the Narcan kits are located at each AED storage container location listed above.
How to Use Narcan:
Resource Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9Sv64FJPhg
This comprehensive guide ensures that all members of the Metro State University community are aware of the procedures to follow in both medical and mental health emergencies. Please familiarize yourself with these steps to ensure a quick and efficient response in any situation.
Preparation and Monitoring
Severe Weather Announcements
Understanding Weather Alerts
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning Actions
Resources:
By following these guidelines and staying informed, you can help ensure your safety and the safety of others during severe weather events at Metro State University. For more information and updates, visit the university’s emergency preparedness website.
We can all help keep our campus community safe by paying attention to our surroundings and reporting suspicious activity to Metro Security at 651-793-1717 or Police at 911. Suspicious activity is any observed behavior that could indicate a person(s) may be involved in a crime or about to commit a crime.
The campus promotes the "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign to report suspicious activity based on unusual behavior. Factors such as race, ethnicity, age, and/or religious affiliations are not suspicious. We all have something worth protecting; an informed, alert public plays a critical role in keeping our campus safe and protecting you.
What is Suspicious Behavior?
1. Unusual Items or Situations:
2. Eliciting Information:
3. Stockpiling Supplies:
4. Acquiring Supplies:
5. Surveillance:
Resources:
This guide ensures that all members of the Metro State University community are aware of the types of suspicious behavior to watch for and the appropriate steps to take in reporting such activities. Familiarize yourself with these indicators to help maintain a safe and secure campus environment.
General Guidelines for Handling Suspicious Mail
Things to Look for When Inspecting Mail
Things to Look for When Opening Mail
Always remain vigilant and follow these guidelines to ensure the safety of the campus community. For more information and updates, refer to the emergency preparedness resources on the Metro State University website.
Immediate Response:
If You Receive a Threatening Phone Call:
If You Receive a Threatening Email:
Procedure/Action to Take:
University Investigation/Procedure May Include:
Resources:
This detailed guide ensures that all members of the Metro State University community are prepared to handle threatening phone calls or emails efficiently and safely. Familiarize yourself with these procedures to ensure a prompt and effective response in the event of a threat.
Utility failures can include electrical power outages, disrupted network service, interrupted telephone service, and unavailable water or heat. In the event of a major utility failure, follow these guidelines:
Immediate Actions
During Business Hours
After Business Hours/Weekends
General Safety Measures
By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure your safety and the safety of others during utility failures. For more information and updates, visit the Metro State University emergency preparedness website.
Weapon on Campus
Active Shooter Response
Hostage Situation
Witness
If You Are Taken Hostage
Prevention and Reporting
Shelter in Place
Resources:
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure the safety of yourself and others during violent incidents on campus. For more information and resources, visit the Metro State University emergency preparedness website.
Metro State University is dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. By following these general guidelines and being prepared, we can ensure that all individuals are protected during emergencies.
For more information and resources, please visit the Metro State Campus Operations office in Founders Hall 321 or contact security at 651-793-1717.