Following are guidelines in the event of an emergency:

Emergency Action Plan

The UMass Lowell (UML) Office of Life Safety and Emergency Management has created an Emergency Action Plan for students, faculty, staff and visitors to provide instructions during emergencies.

Learn more about specific steps to take during emergencies by reading the UMass Lowell Emergency Action Plan (pdf).

Additional information may also be found below:

Public Health Emergency

Public health emergencies can involve infectious disease outbreaks, contamination events, or other widespread health hazards that pose risks to the community. These situations require coordinated action to minimize exposure and protect public health.

  • Follow health guidelines, such as wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and adhering to hygiene protocols, depending on the nature of the emergency.
  • Limit contact with others to reduce the spread of illness or contamination.
  • Avoid crowded areas and consider isolating yourself if instructed by health officials or if you are feeling unwell.
  • Wash your hands regularly.

*If you have been exposed to the health hazard or are experiencing symptoms, report your condition to UMass Lowell Health Services or appropriate public health authorities. Information is available on the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Website or by phone at: 617-983-6800 (MA DPH Infectious Disease Surveillance, Reporting, and Control).

Natural Disasters and Severe Weather

While certain natural disasters are less likely to occur in Massachusetts, they still can strike without warning. Severe weather poses similar threats -- remain indoors and shut doors/windows.

Flood: move to higher floors or elevated areas immediately. Shallow water can sweep you off your feet or disable vehicles. Avoid contact with water (may contain harmful contaminants or electricity).

Earthquake: Drop. Cover. Hold on. Find a secure spot underneath stable furniture on your hands and knees, avoid hanging objects/anything that could fall. Hold on to the stable object and protect your head/neck with your arms. Expect aftershocks. Stay away from windows.

  • If outdoors: Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires. Drop and cover. Stay in an open area until the shaking stops.
  • Within a vehicle: Pull over when safe to do so. Avoid power lines and structural hazards (buildings / overpasses / tress / bridges / tunnels). Stay inside the vehicle with your seatbelt on.

Tornadoes: Move to the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Stay away from windows/doors/exterior walls. Try to cover yourself from flying debris under sturdy furniture. Protect your head/neck.

After an incident concludes, check yourself and others for injuries. Call for emergency personnel if needed. If asked to evacuate by emergency personnel, move swiftly with only necessary items. Do not re-enter or leave buildings until it is deemed safe to do so. Stay clear of any falling hazards.

Crime in Progress

Community members, students, faculty, staff, and guests are encouraged to report all crimes and public safety-related incidents to the UMass Lowell Police Department (UML PD) in a timely manner.

If you witness, are involved in, or are the victim of a violation of the law in-progress, call UML PD on the emergency line listed above. When using a cell phone, please remember that 9-1-1 will not reach the dispatchers at UMass Lowell.

  • If possible, provide the dispatcher with the following information:
  • Your name and location / location of the incident
  • Nature of the incident (what happened/is happening?)
  • Description of those involved (age/gender)
  • Stay on the line!

Make sure to call back if you get disconnected from the line! Try your best to stay calm, help is on the way. If someone is injured, do not attempt to move them unless they are in immediate danger.

Situational Awareness: It is important to always take note of your surroundings, especially in unfamiliar or dark areas. Make sure you know who you are with, where you are, what resources are around you, and where the nearest exits are. Try to think ahead and have a plan in advance.

Blue Emergency Phones: UMass Lowell has over 100 emergency phones spread out across campus. External phones are found on blue poles and are illuminated by a blue light. Internal phones have a silver face and red emergency button. With these phones, you will be immediately in contact with a UML dispatcher. They will have your exact location based on the phone you call from

Fire

Steps to Follow if You Smell Smoke or Odors but No Visible Fire:

  1. Report the Situation - Call University Police at 4-4911 (on-campus) or 978-934-4911 (off-campus). Provide a clear description of the situation and your location.
  2. Await Response - Meet and identify yourself to responding personnel when they arrive. Notify your supervisor of the situation and actions you’ve taken.
  3. Stay alert and be cautious until response personnel assess the area.

Active Fire

  1. Activate the nearest fire alarm. Knock on doors and shout “FIRE!” to alert others if no alarm.
  2. Evacuate the building. Do NOT use elevators. Familiarize yourself with at least two exit routes.
  3. Close doors as you leave to prevent the fire from spreading.
  4. Feel closed doors with the back of your hand before opening them, if it’s hot, find an alternative exit or seek shelter.
  5. If there is smoke, stay low to avoid inhalation.
  6. Call the UML PD emergency line and provide as much detail as possible.
  7. Once evacuated, do not return to the building until emergency personnel deem it safe to do so.
  8. If it’s a small fire and you are not in danger, use a fire extinguisher after the alarm is activated

Hazardous Material Spill(s)

If you were exposed to a hazardous material: Inform emergency personnel of exposure (contact, inhalation, etc.) if possible. Provide any details about the substance you may have.

Spill contamination procedures:

  1. In the event of a hazardous materials spill, immediately evacuate the area.
  2. Call the emergency PD line so that trained personnel can handle the spill.
  3. Avoid further contamination - restrict access to the area (only trained personnel should be entering the scene).
  4. Stop the spread - evacuate all individuals exposed to the hazardous material to a nearby area where they can be examined.
  5. Keep yourself safe - do not reenter or clean up any spills alone or without proper personal protective equipment (PPE) (handled by emergency responders).
  6. Keep others safe - do not allow additional people to access the site of the spill until deemed safe (Ensure that others are aware to avoid the area).

*Notify responding emergency personnel if you have information about how it was released or what form of material it is (radioactive, corrosive, flammable, biological).

*If released into the environment (air/water/soil): stop the release if safe; follow the procedure above.

Evacuations and Shelter In Place

Things to note for an evacuation:

  • Where your nearest exits are (especially in buildings you are in frequently, such as dorms)
  • Walk quickly and calmly through your exit route if an alarm activates or you are told to leave.
  • Do not use elevators during an evacuation.
  • If you are willing/able, assist those around you or those with disabilities.
  • Notify emergency responders if you believe someone may be trapped in the building.
  • Close doors/windows behind you to prevent the spread of hazardous materials.
  • Once outside, move away from the building and stay off the street so that emergency vehicles have space to enter.
  • Do not reenter the building until permitted to do so by emergency personnel.

For persons who require assistance, or have access and functional needs:

  • Plan: Where can you safely wait for emergency personnel if you cannot access the exit?
  • If no smoke/fire, find a room and close doors and windows.
  • If smoke/fire, proceed to the nearest stairwell landing Inform emergency responders of your name and location (call the emergency line) and that you are unable to self-evacuate.
  • If helping someone who is visually impaired, provide detailed guided instructions and offer your assistance through the route.
  • If someone cannot hear an alarm due to a hearing impairment, alert them using written communication or gestures.
  • Whenever attempting to help another, remain calm and use direct language to provide guidance and reassurance.
  • If you cannot help someone alone, notify emergency responders of the individual’s location.

Rather than evacuating, in some scenarios it may be safer to shelter in place. In these cases, you will be instructed to stay where you are via the UML RAVE emergency alerts system, Residence Life, UML PD, Emergency Management, University employees, Lowell Police Department, or other authorities.

  • Seek an interior room with less/no windows.
  • Bring your necessary personal belongings (ID, phone, etc.).
  • Shut and lock all windows and close exterior doors Turn off air conditioners, heaters and fans.
  • Close ventilation systems if able (University staff will turn off ventilation as quickly as possible).
  • Make a list of the people with you and ask someone (Residence Life staff, faculty or other staff) to call the list in to UMass Lowell Police Department so they know where you are sheltering. If only students are present, one of the students should call in the list.
  • Turn on a radio or TV and listen for further instructions

Medical Emergency

All Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) within UMass Lowell Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are trained providers, credentialed and licensed on the National and State levels. Medical emergencies can happen anytime and require immediate action.

When should I call UML EMS?

  • If you witness someone get injured.
  • If someone cannot call for themselves.
  • If you notice someone experiencing a potential medical problem

What should I say on the phone?

  • The location, age, and gender of the patient(s) and number of injured people if possible.
  • The Nature of the mergency, what you think they’re struggling with (ex: trouble breathing, chest pain, bleeding, etc.)
  • Call back if you get disconnected! Do not hang up.

What can I do to help?

  • Try your best to stay calm, help is on the way!
  • Never attempt to move the patient from their position (unless they’re in immediate danger!)
  • Do not enter a scene that doesn’t seem safe.
  • Check your nearby resources! Apply first aid if you are trained and it is necessary.

Automated External Defibrillator (AED):

  • At least one in every major building on campus and in high-traffic areas.
  • AEDs are regularly inspected and tested.
  • More information about Campus AEDs and a map of AED locations can both be found on the UML EMS website.
  • If needed, simply open the case and use it! The AED will provide directions for you and has pictures of each step.

Stop the Bleed Kits (STB)

  • Currently five kits on campus (Lydon - Pulichino Tong Business Center connector hallway, McGauvran first floor dining entrance, Fox first floor lobby, University Crossing near information desk and the Tsongas Center behind section 102)
  • STB Kits include items like gloves, chest seals, gauze, tourniquets, trauma shears, trauma dressings, survival blankets and more

*If you come into contact with bodily fluids that are not your own (blood, vomit, etc.), immediately wash the exposed area with soap and water. Seek medical attention if the infectious materials have contact with non-intact skin, eyes, mouth, or nose.

**For laboratory incidents, the lab instructor must immediately call 978-934-4911 to report the incident. Student or workers should remain at the scene, unless it is unsafe, and wait for first responders. The lab instructor must complete an EEM Incident Report Form after the emergency.

What if There is Suspicious Package and / or Bomb Threat?

  • DO NOT touch or disturb the object
  • Contact UMass Lowell Police immediately by phone at: 978-934-4911 (on-campus phone: 4-4911)
  • Be prepared to evaluate the building or area
  • If told to evacuate, look around for other suspicious activity or objects
  • "See something, Say something"