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Campus Safety

What alert sound does the siren make?

Weather alert sound:

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Active danger sound:

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Campus Resources

Communication Methods

In the event of an emergency, there are four primary ways information will be communicated to the campus community related to the situation:

Outdoor Alert System

To promptly alert the campus in case of an imminent threat, SFA installed an outdoor alert system in November 2007.

Sirens for the centrally located outdoor alert system are installed on the roof of the Ralph W. Steen Library to ensure the alert sound may be heard across the main university campus.

While the alert system may be heard inside some buildings on campus, the system is designed to provide an audible alert outdoors.

When will the system be sounded?
The alert system will be sounded when there is an imminent threat to SFA students, faculty, staff and visitors. This may include:


What alert sound does the siren make?
To listen to a sample of what you can expect to hear if the outdoor alert system is activated, make sure that sound is enabled on your computer and click:

 

When will the system be sounded?
The alert system will be sounded when there is an imminent threat to SFA students, faculty, staff and visitors. This may include:


What do I do if the siren sounds?
If you hear a weather alert tone:

If you hear an active danger alert tone:
Situations of this type are unique and develop quickly. It is impossible to prescribe a course of action that will be appropriate for every potential incident. The best advice in the event of this type of warning is to:

Monthly testing
The alert siren will be activated the first Wednesday of each month at approximately 11:55 a.m. to test the system. Both the weather alert and active danger alert sounds will be sounded during the test. The alert sounds will be preceded by a spoken message announcing that a test of the system is about to occur. Should threatening weather be near the campus at that time, campus safety officials may choose to cancel the test to avoid any possible confusion regarding weather conditions.

If you hear the monthly system test notice and tones:

If you have other questions regarding the outdoor alert system, contact University Police at 468-2608.

Website Alert System

When a Campus Alert is issued a bright yellow banner is splashed across the top of every webpage hosted on the SFA website.  You can click on this banner to access the Campus Alerts webpage.  This webpage will be updated as information becomes available related to the alert.  You have probably already seen the Campus Alert banners on the website as these are tested monthly when they are used to remind the campus community of the monthly outdoor siren system. 

Mobile Alert System

This system is available to students, faculty and staff who register a mobile device, such as a cell phone.  Land-line phones and e-mail addresses different from your campus e-mail address may also be registered.  When an alert is issued, messages are sent to all of the devices you have registered on this system.  

Remember, this system requires your registration.

Go to mySFA and click on the red “Register to Get Campus Alerts” button to start.

E-Mail Alert System

During a campus alert, a group e-mail will be sent to every student, faculty and staff member.  This e-mail will direct individuals to the SFA website for additional information.

Timely Warning Procedures

The Stephen F. Austin State University Police Department (SFASU PD) is the department within the University that is responsible for issuing timely campus alerts in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act {20 U.S.C. 1092(f)}.

When a determination is made that an alert should be issued, the SFASU PD will inform the campus community by utilizing a number of communication methods.  Appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that a timely warning is issued.

The determination of when an alert will be issued will be made on a case-by-case basis and will consider the facts surrounding the incident; including such factors as the nature of the incident, the imminent or continuing threat to the University community.  Weather alerts may be issued when there is an imminent threat to the safety of the campus community from severe weather.

The SFASU PD will coordinate with the appropriate University departments and officials to ensure that local media outlets are notified of any alert issued.

Emergency Procedures


Note on Contacting University Police
If you dial "911" from any campus phone you will be connected to University Police. If you dial "911" from a cell phone, a pay phone, or some other non-campus phone you will be connected to the Nacogdoches Police and then transferred to UPD.

For the fastest response when using a campus phone - dial 911
For the fastest response when using any non-campus phone - dial 468-2608

FIRE

LEARN THE LOCATION OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, EXITS, AND MANUAL PULL STATIONS IN YOUR AREA AND HOW TO USE THEM.

PROCEDURE IF A FIRE OCCURS

  1. If an emergency exists, activate the manual pull station building alarm system. IMMEDIATELY contact UPD at 911 from a campus phone or 468-2608 from a cell phone.
  2. If a minor fire appears controllable, promptly direct the charge of the fire extinguisher toward the base of the flame, only if you can do so safely.
  3. Evacuate when prompted by continuous sounding fire alarms or by an official announcement.
  4. Be aware of and make use of designated primary and alternate evacuation routes.
  5. Leave the building in an orderly manner without rushing or crowding—DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR DURING A FIRE.
  6. Provide aid to those who need it in an emergency evacuation situation.
  7. Smoke is the greatest danger in a fire, so stay near the floor where air will be less toxic.
  8. Once outside,
    • Always evacuate crosswind and/or upwind away from any fire emergency by a safe route.
    • Evacuate to at least 300 feet from the building and out of the way of emergency vehicles.
  9. Report any individuals who have been injured or left behind to emergency responders.
  10. If requested, assist emergency crews.
  11. DO NOT RETURN TO AN EVACUATED BUILDING until an all-clear is officially announced.

NOTE: Should you become trapped inside a building during a fire and a window is available, place an article of clothing (shirt, coat, etc.) outside the window as a marker for rescue crews. If there is no window, stay near the floor where the air will be less toxic. Shout at regular intervals to alert emergency crews of your location. DO NOT PANIC!

IMPORTANT: After an evacuation, report to your department head to let them know your status.

WEATHER

PROCEDURE WHEN A SEVERE WEATHER OR TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED

Seek shelter immediately in designated areas.

  1. If inside a building:
    1. Go to the lowest level of the building, if possible.
    2. Stay away from windows.
    3. Go to an interior hallway.
    4. Use arms to protect head and neck in a “drop and tuck” position.
    5. Avoid the most dangerous locations of a building, usually along south and west sides and at corners.
  2. If there is no time to get inside:
    1. Lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building.
    2. Be aware of potential for flooding.
    3. Use arms to protect head and neck in a “drop and tuck” position.
    4. Use jacket, cap, backpack or any similar items, if available, to protect face and eyes.

EVACUATION

In most cases, an evacuation would apply only to the buildings that are immediately affected. In some cases, such as local terrorism, flooding or earthquake, the evacuation could apply to the entire campus. Some of the events that might call for an evacuation could also require sheltering-in-place based on your proximity to the event. You should heed official requests and use common sense when you can not receive an official announcement.

Some events that might prompt an evacuation are:

Procedure for Evacuation

  1. Evacuate when prompted by continuous sounding fire alarms or by an official announcement.
  2. Be aware of and make use of designated primary and alternate evacuation routes.
  3. Close classroom or office doors as you leave.
  4. Leave the building in an orderly manner without rushing or crowding—DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR.
  5. Provide aid to those who need it in an emergency evacuation situation.
  6. Be aware of and follow instructions given by UPD and other officials. You may be asked to proceed on foot to designated areas or
    evacuate the campus entirely.
    • Always evacuate crosswind and/or upwind away from any emergency by a safe route.
    • Evacuate to at least 300 feet from the building and out of the way of emergency vehicles.
  7. Report any individuals who have been injured or left behind to emergency responders .
  8. DO NOT RETURN TO AN EVACUATED BUILDING until an all-clear is officially announced.

SHELTER-IN-PLACE

Sheltering-in-place is the use of any classroom, office or building for the purpose of providing temporary shelter. Since many of the events that would require sheltering-in-place might also require evacuation based on your proximity to the event you should heed official requests and use common sense when you can not receive an official announcement.

Shelter-in-Place : Hazardous Material Release

  1. Receive a shelter-in-place announcement.
  2. Immediately move indoors.
  3. Close all windows and doors to shelter and seal as best you can, using towels, clothes or paper.
  4. If there appears to be air contamination within the shelter, place a paper mask, wet handkerchief or wet paper towel over the nose and mouth for temporary respiratory protection.
  5. Continue to follow the instructions given by the response authorities.

Shelter-in-Place : Terrorist Attack or Armed Intruder

See the Armed Subjects protocol.

ARMED SUBJECTS

If you witness any armed individual on campus at any time, or if an individual is acting in a hostile or belligerent manner, immediately contact UPD at 911 from a campus phone, or 468-2608 from a cell phone.

If the armed subject is outside the building:

If the armed subject is inside the building:

If the armed subject comes into your class or office:

DISRUPTIVE INDIVIDUALS

If you witness a disruptive individual on campus at any time, immediately contact UPD at 911 from a campus phone, or 468-2608 from a cell phone.

Who is a disruptive individual?

What action should I take?

Express your authority with non-verbal cues.

Cues to avoid.

Anger Management Tactics.


Automatic Electronic Defibrillators (AED)

Stephen F. Austin State University currently has more than forty (40) AED devices placed across campus to date. Use of these devices is automated and instructions are provided by the device when it is opened.  Demonstrations on how to use these AEDs can be arranged through the Department of Campus Recreation. Call 468-3507 to make arrangements.

Current AED Locations