Emergency Alert Response for Faculty and Instructors
In an emergency, please call or text 911 when it is safe to do so.
Run-Hide-Fight
The University has adopted the national Run-Hide-Fight (RHF) model to respond to an active attacker situation. The Run-Hide-Fight alerts will now be used exclusively for active attackers.
Instructions on how to respond to a Run-Hide-Fight alert:
Paying close attention to the alerts is the single most important thing. Run-Hide-Fight means we are in a dynamic, quickly changing situation.
In general, everyone on Grounds should stop what they are doing and pay close attention to emergency instructions, as these situations can evolve quickly. Instructors should stop teaching and not move their class online.
The alert typically indicates the general area where the attacker is believed to be located.
If in the immediate vicinity of the attacker:
- RUN: Evacuate if there is a safe route available.
- HIDE: If it is unsafe to escape, hide. When possible, lock the door and block entry, turn off lights, and silence electronic devices.
- FIGHT: Prepare to defend yourself if necessary.
If you are outdoors, seek protection inside a building and hide out of view. If that is unavailable, move to a safe area as quickly as possible. If unable to get away, hide as best as you can.
If not in the immediate vicinity of the attacker:
- If inside, stay inside and away from exterior doors and windows.
- If outside, get to the nearest building to hide. If that is not possible, get away from the area, to safety, as quickly as possible, or hide behind or under a secure structure.
Shelter-in-Place
Shelter-in-Place (SIP) alerts are now used for any incident where police and emergency responders need members of the UVA community to go inside and stay inside, such as during a dangerous situation on or near Grounds, a HAZMAT or other environmental hazard, or a tornado warning. Remaining inside is not only vital for your safety, but it also enables emergency responders to manage a SIP situation more effectively. Shelter-in-Place alerts will no longer be used for active attacker situations.
In general, unless instructed otherwise by emergency personnel, instructors may continue teaching if they wish to do so.
Remember that these alerts may be triggering for some people because of prior experiences with Shelter-in-Place. Be understanding that some students may have reduced focus or learning capacity during the incident. Try to calm or comfort students and others who appear upset.
Instructions on how to respond to a Shelter-in-Place alert:
If inside, please stay inside and remain calm
- Move away from external doors and windows, if possible.
- Inside, you may move around the building to use the restroom, eat, and continue to work, teach, or study.
If outside, get to the nearest building immediately
If that is not an option, move away from the area to safety as quickly as possible. Alternatively, if unable to get away, find a secure structure to hide behind or under.
If other faculty members, staff members, students, or community members are with you, encourage them to do the same.
Avoid the Area
The Avoid the Area directive is used when it is imperative that, for the safety of you and others, you do not enter or approach an area under distress.
- If you are currently near the area of alert, leave the area.
- If you are not in the area of the alert, continue to avoid the area.
Emergency personnel will instruct individuals in the vicinity of the hazard about how to respond (e.g., evacuate the building). Examples of localized hazards are fire and police activity.
Always follow directives from law enforcement and UVA Alerts until an all-clear message is given by University officials.
Further information can be found in the FAQ below or by contacting Emergency Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Run-Hide-Fight FAQ
What should instructors do if they receive a Run-Hide-Fight alert while teaching a class on Grounds?
If you are teaching in a clinical setting, follow the emergency alert instructions given to clinical staff.
Otherwise, stop teaching (both in person and remote).
Follow the Run-Hide-Fight guidance above. Stay in your classroom, office, or lab; do not move around the building. These alerts are Grounds-wide because the situation can evolve quickly. Stay alert to any changes and be prepared to act.
Remember that these alerts may be triggering for some people because of prior experiences. Try to calm or comfort students and others who appear upset.
Follow directives from law enforcement and UVA Alerts until an all-clear message is given by University officials.
What should instructors do if they receive a Run-Hide-Fight alert and have a class on Grounds that will start shortly?
If you are teaching in a clinical setting, follow the emergency alert instructions given to clinical staff.
If you are off Grounds, do not come to Grounds until the alert has been lifted. Do not start class in person or online during a Run-Hide-Fight alert. These alerts are Grounds-wide because the situation can evolve quickly. Stay alert to any changes and be prepared to act.
Contact your students to let them know that there is an emergency alert, and that class will not be held during the alert. Instruct your students not to travel to class until the alert has been lifted and you’ve emailed them further instructions.
Remember that these alerts may be triggering for some people because of prior experiences. Try to calm or comfort students and others who appear upset.
Once the alert has been lifted and if it is still before the end of the class period, contact your students to let them know if you plan to hold class, and if it will be in person or on Zoom.
Shelter-In-Place FAQ
What should instructors do if they receive a Shelter-in-Place alert about a tornado warning while teaching a class on Grounds?
If you are teaching in a clinical setting, follow the emergency alert instructions given to clinical staff.
Otherwise, stop teaching (both in person and remote), seek an interior room on the lowest level without windows, if possible, and encourage your students to do the same.
Do not move your class online; students may not be able to safely join an online class while sheltering in place.
What should instructors do if they receive a Shelter-in-Place alert NOT due to a tornado warning while teaching a class on Grounds?
If you are teaching in a clinical setting, follow the emergency alert instructions given to clinical staff.
Follow the instructions above for a Shelter-in-Place alert. Unless directed otherwise, you may continue teaching and move within the building. Stay away from exterior doors and windows.
Follow directives from law enforcement and UVA Alerts until an all-clear message is given by University officials.
Remember that these alerts may be triggering for some people because of prior experiences. Be understanding that some students may have reduced focus or learning capacity during the incident. Try to calm or comfort students and others who appear upset.
What should instructors do if they have a class on Grounds that will start shortly, and they receive a Shelter-in-Place alert about a tornado warning?
If you are teaching in a clinical setting, follow the emergency alert instructions given to clinical staff.
If you are off Grounds, do not come to Grounds until the alert has been lifted. Do not start class in person or online during this type of emergency alert.
Contact your students to let them know that there is an emergency alert, and that class will not be held in person or online during the alert. Instruct your students not to travel to class until the alert has been lifted and you’ve emailed them further instructions.
Once the alert has been lifted and if it is still before the end of the class period, contact your students to let them know if you plan to hold class, and if it will be in person or on Zoom.
What should instructors do if they have a class on Grounds that will start shortly, and they receive a Shelter-in-Place alert NOT due to a tornado warning?
If you are teaching in a clinical setting, follow the emergency alert instructions given to clinical staff.
If you are off Grounds, do not come to Grounds until the alert has been lifted. Do not start class in person during this type of emergency alert.
Contact your students to inform them that an emergency alert has been issued, and that class will not be held in person during the alert. Instruct your students not to travel to class until the alert has been lifted and you’ve emailed them further instructions.
If all students are indoors and can join the class online, you may shift your class to an online format. Please ensure that students are not unduly affected by this format change and make alternative arrangements for those who are unable to fully participate.
Once the alert has been lifted and if it is still before the end of the class period, you may return to teaching in person.
Remember that these alerts may be triggering for some people because of prior experiences. Be understanding that some students may have reduced focus or learning capacity during the incident. Try to calm or comfort students and others who appear upset.
What if a Shelter-in-Place directive lasts a long time and students get hungry?
Unless sheltering at the lowest level during a tornado warning, students may move within the building to access food, but should stay inside and should not go to other buildings. Do not order food to be delivered. Individuals not associated with UVA may not be aware of the emergency, and you may be putting them in harm’s way by coming on Grounds. Ask the students to be patient.
Avoid the Area FAQ
What should instructors do if they receive an Avoid the Area alert while teaching a class on Grounds?
If you are teaching in a clinical setting, follow the emergency alert instructions given to clinical staff.
If your class is within the area under distress, stop teaching. Stay calm and encourage your students to do the same. Follow instructions from emergency personnel.
If your class is away from the area under distress, you may continue teaching and move around Grounds while avoiding the area.
What should instructors do if they have a class on Grounds that will start shortly, and they receive an Avoid the Area alert?
If you are teaching in a clinical setting, follow the emergency alert instructions given to clinical staff.
If you, your classroom, or some of your students may be near the area under distress, do not approach the area or start the class in person. Note that undergraduate residence halls are spread out across Grounds, and the likelihood that some students are near an area under distress is high. Contact your students to inform them that an emergency alert has been issued, and that class will not be held in person during the alert. Instruct your students not to travel to class or approach the area under distress until the alert has been lifted and you’ve emailed them further instructions.
If all students can safely join the class online, you may shift your class to an online format. Please ensure that students are not unduly affected by this format change and make alternative arrangements for those who are unable to fully participate.
In some limited circumstances, an instructor may know that none of their students are located near the affected area. For example, an instructor in North Grounds can safely expect none of their students are in Central Grounds during normal class times. In that case, and if you can travel to your classroom without approaching the area under distress, you may do so and hold your class in person.
Are instructors responsible for students obeying the emergency alert instructions?
Everyone is responsible for their own actions. Remind students that they may be putting their own safety at risk by leaving, and that they also have a community safety responsibility. If emergency personnel are diverted to keep individuals who do not follow the instructions safe, they cannot attend to the emergency at hand, which may result in unnecessary harm.
Do instructors teaching 100% online classes or teaching outside of the Charlottesville area need to follow the emergency alert directives?
The University’s emergency alerts apply to the UVA Grounds in the Charlottesville area. Emergency alerts for UVA's separate campuses will include the specific campus name in the alert, for example “Darden Sands Emergency Alert".
If you or some of your students are on or near Grounds, then you must follow the emergency alert directive and the guidance in this document.
If you and all your students are far from Grounds, you do not need to follow the emergency alert directives.
What should instructors do if asked to evacuate a building during class?
You may be instructed to evacuate a building through the fire alarm system, UVA Alert, or verbal commands.
Immediately stop teaching. Instruct students to walk directly to the nearest exit, using the stairs if they can and not elevators. Once outside, move away from the building and call or text 911 if needed when it is safe to do so. Do not return inside until you are instructed to do so by emergency personnel.
What should instructors do if a student has a medical emergency in their class?
In the event of a serious illness or injury, dial 911 and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. Until they arrive:
- Remain calm and ask others to remain calm.
- If possible, send someone to meet emergency responders outside and direct them to the person’s location.
- Keep the student still and comfortable. Do not move them unless they are in immediate danger.
- Check breathing and check for a pulse. If there is no pulse and you or another person in the room has been trained, perform CPR or use an AED. The AED machine will provide you with step-by-step instructions. A listing of academic division AEDs can be found on the Public AED List and locations webpage.
- Control serious bleeding by applying direct pressure to the wound. In case of a minor injury or illness, provide first aid care.