Emergency Preparedness

During an emergency impacting campus, Radford University will use Radford Alert to provide critical safety information. 

Students, faculty and staff are automatically enrolled in Radford Alert and will receive Radford Alert notifications as long as they are associated with the University as registered students or employees. 

The Office of Emergency Management encourages students, faculty and staff to verify their contact information is correct by visiting Manage My Phone Numbers  and Manage Email Address on OneCampus.

In addition to staying informed through Radford Alert for emergencies on campus, individuals are encouraged to visit ready.gov for more information on staying informed during an emergency outside of campus.

Some emergencies have a recognizable build-up period in which preparedness actions can be taken, but many do not. It's critical to make a plan in advance of an emergency.  Plans for emergencies should be developed with family and friends.  The following items should be considered when developing your plan;

• Communications Plan - How will you communicate with each other during an emergency? A communication plan is essential during an emergency.  Complete In Case of Emergency (I.C.E.) cards or develop these contacts in your phone.  Post emergency contact numbers in an easy-to-access location. Practicing your communication plan ahead of time will greatly improve your situation during an emergency.
• Evacuation Plan - What is your evacuation plan?  Individuals should determine how they will need to evacuate buildings they frequent.  What are alternate routes out of the building in case your primary route in blocked?  Determine where your assembly area is located outside, if one has not been determined already.  Prepare to leave your building or home quickly and efficiently during an emergency.  Plan ahead of where you might go and the route you would take to get there.  Exercise your plan once created and practice at a minimum annually.
• Shelter Plan - Sheltering is appropriate when conditions require that you seek protection in your home, where you work or other location during an emergency.  It's important to identify where your shelter location will be ahead of time.  The length of time you may be sheltered may vary dependent upon the emergency situation.

Individuals with functional needs should consider being part of a buddy system with a roommate, classmate, or colleague who could provide assistance and support before, during, and after an emergency. 

During extended periods of sheltering you will need to manage water and food supplies to make sure you have what you need to get by. Your kit should be a collection of basic items you may need in the event of an emergency, whether on campus, at home, or out and about. During and after an emergency, you may need to be self-sufficient, and your kit should have the essentials to keep you sustained for at least 72 hours.

Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the checklist below. Most of the items are inexpensive and easy to find and any one of them could save your life. 

• Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation)
• Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
• Manual can opener (for food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery