University of Wyoming Emergency Response Plan
University of Wyoming Emergency Preparedness and Response Guide
Emergencies can occur at any time, without warning. Experience shows that a well-planned,
coordinated response helps reduce injury and damage to property. This guide outlines
specific emergency response actions you can take.
Emergency Map
View the University of Wyoming Emergency Map (PDF)
Emergency Notification Resources
UW uses a variety of resources to deliver important emergency information to the campus
community.
- UW Text Alert
Text message alerts will be sent to users who are registered at www.getrave.com/login/uwyo. Everyone should register!
- E-mails
- UW Homepage
- In some circumstances, the UW home page will be replaced by an emergency page, which
will be updated with new information as it is relayed, including the complete directory
of text messages sent and links for more information.
- Digital Signage
- Emergency information will be displayed on campus digital signage and monitors.
- Red Alert (Reverse 911)
In some instances, UW may be able to make use of Red Alert, the reverse 911 service
used by the Laramie Police Department.
- Remember, when you hear outdoor warning sirens, including the outdoor warning siren on the Wyoming Union, immediately seek shelter
(shelter in place) in a safe location within a building or facility.
- Fire alarms immediately evacuate the building and move to the designated meeting area.
- All other alerts follow the directions given. In all instances you should get additional clarifying
information by all possible means. UW Homepage, UW Text Alert, e-mail, etc.
- More information about emergency preparedness can be found at
Emergency Phone Numbers
- Emergencies
- UW Police
- UW Dean of Students
- UW Student Health Services
- UW Counseling Center
- UW Safety
- UW Operations
- UW Risk Management & Insurance
- Laramie Police Department
- Albany County Sheriff’s Department
- Laramie Fire Department
- Albany County Public Health
- STOP Sexual Assault Hotline
- Text Tips Program
Emergency Terms
- Shelter in Place: Choose an interior room or one with as few doors and windows as possible. Remain
there until the danger has passed.
- Seek Secure Shelter: Move to a lockable space, like an office or classroom, and remain there. Lock and
barricade doors, turn off lights, and turn cell phones to silent or vibrate mode.
Shelter under a desk or other surface to hide.
- Evacuate: Immediately leave the building, exiting through the nearest and safest exit. If the
fire alarm has not been activated, do so.
Medical Emergencies
Life Threatening Emergencies
- Call 911 immediately.
- Provide the following:
The age and gender of the victim.
The location of the victim.
Nature of the emergency and whether the victim is conscious or breathing.
Any additional information as directed.
- Keep the victim still until help arrives. Do not attempt to move the victim.
- Only trained personnel should provide first aid or CPR.
- Upon arrival of the emergency medical unit, provide any information about the victim
that you are aware of.
Minor Injuries/Non-Emergencies
- In case of minor injury or illness, contact UWPD at (307) 766-5179.
- For all employee work-related injuries and illnesses the "Workers Compensation Report of Injury" form, along with the accident follow-up
form, must be completed. These forms are located on the Human Resources web page
https://www.uwyo.edu/employeeshr/_files/docs/employee-benefits/workers-comp-fillable-injury-report.pdf
What To Do
Chemical Spill
- If health or life threatening conditions exist, close the door and call 911.
- Restrict entry to the affected area.
- Remove contaminated clothing. Rinse contaminated skin, eyes or hair with water for
a minimum of 15 minutes.
- If a building emergency exists, activate the fire alarm.
- Evacuate the building by the nearest exit. Assist the disabled to evacuate if necessary.
- Once outside, move to an area at least 600 feet away from the affected building.
- Do not re-enter an evacuated building unless authorized by a Laramie Fire Department
official.
Radiation Emergency/Infectious Agent
- Take care of medical emergencies first. If health or life threatening conditions exist,
call 911.
- If a skin wound occurs, call 911 and thoroughly wash the wound with running water,
allow some bleeding and then bandage using items from the first aid kit. Thoroughly
wash hands and other exposed body areas.
- If any clothing items are contaminated with radioactive materials,remove them.
- Restrict access into the spill areas.
- Any loss of radioactive material must be reported to EnvironmentalHealth and Safety
(307) 766-3277 as soon as possible after the loss is noted.
Explosion
- Immediately take cover under tables, desks, or other objects,which will give protection
against falling glass and debris.
- After the initial effects of the explosion have subsided, call 911.
- Activate the building fire alarm.
- Evacuate the building by the nearest exit. Assist the disabled to evacuate if necessary.
- Once outside, move to a clear area that is at least 600 feet from the affected building.
Weather Emergencies
In the event of a severe weather emergency, notification will be provided to the campus
community.
Tornado
- If you receive notification of a tornado warning or sight a tornado, move to the lowest
level in an interior hallway of the building as quickly as possible.
- Stay away from windows and areas with large expanses of glass.
- Avoid auditoriums, gymnasiums and other large rooms with free span roofs.
- Do not use elevators.
- Help those with disabilities move to a safe area by assisting them to an interior
hallway away from windows and areas with large expanses of glass.
- Protect your head and face. If possible, get under a sturdy table or other structure.
Fire
- In case of fire, activate the nearest fire alarm.
- Evacuate the building by the nearest exit. Help those with disabilities with evacuation
if necessary.
- Do not use elevators.
- When you are in a safe area away from the fire, call 911.
- If comfortable doing so, attempt to extinguish a minor fire and then contact the Laramie
Fire Department.
- Once outside, move to a clear area that is at least 600 feet from the affected building.
- Do not re-enter an evacuated building unless authorized by a Laramie Fire Department
official.
Earthquake
- INDOORS: Move away from glass, windows, shelves, filing cabinets and heavy equipment.
Seek refuge in a doorway or under a desk or table.
- OUTDOORS: Move rapidly away from buildings, windows, utility poles and other structures.
Do not re-enter an evacuated building unless authorized by a Laramie Fire Department
official.
Active Shooter/Dangerous Person
- Remain calm, do not engage the intruder.
- A quick and quiet escape is suggested, if it can be done safely.
- If attempting to escape, keep your hands elevated with open palms visible, especially
if encountering law enforcement officers.
- If you cannot safely exit the building, seek secure shelter.
- Close and lock windows, lower blinds, remain out of sight, turn off lights.
- Once secured inside, take cover behind concrete walls, thick desks, and filing cabinets
that are away from windows and doors.
- Remain quiet, turn off cell phone ringers.
- Only one person from the room should call police at 911 and tell them where you are,
where the dangerous person is, and the condition of others with you. Follow their
instructions. If you cannot speak, leave the line open so the dispatcher can hear
what is happening.
- Assist others if they are injured.
- Do not respond to any unfamiliar voice commands until you can be sure they are coming
from a law enforcement official.
Personal Safety
- Once an emergency takes place, the time to prepare is gone and it is time to respond
and cope with the aftermath. Take time to examine what you can do to prepare by visiting
www.uwyo.edu/uw/campus-safety/ and reviewing UW’s Emergency Response Plan at www.uwyo.edu/administration/_ files/docs/EmergencyResponsePlan.pdf.
Make sure you have:
- Signed up for UW Text Alert.
- Programmed the UWPD phone number, (307) 766- 5179, into your cell phone.
- Familiarize yourself with more than one way to get out of every building where you
live or have classes.
- Identify the location of the fire alarm pull stations and fire extinguishers and know
how to use an extinguisher.
- Know where to shelter in case of severe weather such as a tornado.
- Familiarize yourself with the housing staff for your residence hall, including the
Resident Assistant and other staff in case there is an emergency or other problem.
- Maintain an emergency kit that includes a flashlight, a radio (and fresh batteries),
non-perishable food, a first aid kit and other items.
Building EVacuation
- All building evacuations will occur when an alarm sounds and/or upon notification
by the University Police, the local fire department, the local police, the Environmental
Health and Safety Department or the Building/Facility Coordinator.
- When the building evacuation alarm is activated during an emergency, leave by the
nearest marked exit and alert others to do the same.
- Once outside proceed to a clear area that does not obstruct emergency response personnel
and away from the affected building. Keep streets, fire lanes, hydrant areas and walkways
clear. Know your assembly points.
- Assist those who need help exiting the building. Do not use the elevators in case
of fi re or earthquake.
Download the University of Wyoming Emergency Response Plan (.pdf)
