Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures

Texas Tech University recognizes that specific emergencies may occur that require an immediate response from emergency services to protect lives and property by effectively using university and campus community resources. To address mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery, Texas Tech has developed an emergency management plan (EMP) designed as an all-hazards plan.

A principle tenet of the EMP is the use of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), which has been formally adopted by the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents as the foundation for incident command, coordination and support activities for the Texas Tech University System and its member institutions. It is the policy of the Texas Tech University System to coordinate training on the NIMS and its core components for personnel responsible for managing and/or supporting major emergency and disaster operations. Students at the regional campuses should speak with their Site Director for information specifically applying to their location.

For most major campus emergencies, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activation begins at the discretion of the University Leadership, University Emergency Management, and the Incident Commander. Based on recommendations from first responders and University Emergency Management, and after consultation with the University President, an emergency will be declared and the EOC activated to the extent necessary.

At TTU Costa Rica, University Leadership or the Emergency Brigade will receive recommendations from first responders and will activate the emergency protocol when necessary.

If a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health and safety of individuals is confirmed, the university will immediately notify the campus community.

For more information regarding Texas Tech's Emergency Notification procedures, visit techalert.ttu.edu.

Testing of the Emergency Preparedness/Response Plan

In accordance with Texas Education Code Section 51.217 and United States Public Law 110-315 Title IV, the Texas Tech University Emergency Management Director schedules and executes at least one test of Texas Tech University's emergency response and evacuation procedures annually on Texas Tech University Lubbock campus. The test may be announced or unannounced and will meet all of the following criteria: be scheduled, contain drills, exercises, follow-through activities, be designed for assessment and evaluation of emergency plans and capabilities.

The campus publicizes a summary of the emergency response and evacuation procedures via email at least once each year in conjunction with a test (exercise and drill) that meets all of the requirements of the Higher Education Opportunity Act. Each test is documented and includes a description of the exercise, the date and time of the exercise and whether it was announced or unannounced.

The tests are in the form of one of the following: a mandatory emergency drill, tabletop, functional, or full-scale exercise and, at a minimum, include testing of procedures for immediate Emergency Notifications of threats. All tests conducted are followed up by an "after action review," the purpose of which is to determine which procedures need to be sustained and how to refine or improve emergency response, evacuation and Emergency Notification procedures.

The current plan is tested in various areas across campus. Storm warning sirens are tested regularly, and drills are conducted periodically in the residence halls, where applicable. Each year, exercises and drills are conducted pertaining to fire alarms, tornadoes, and building emergency planning.

The University tests its Emergency Notification system once a semester, by sending a test message to the University community via TechAlert. These tests are evaluated for timeliness of message distribution and allow the campus community to make sure their information in the system is accurate.

Students at the regional campuses should speak with their Site Director for emergency response and evacuation procedures specifically applying to their location.

Buildings and Residence Halls (Where Applicable)

• All building and residence hall evacuations will occur when an alarm sounds and/or upon notification by the police, fire marshal, staff, or designee.
• When the fire alarm is activated during an emergency, leave by the nearest marked exit and alert others to do the same.
• Those requiring accommodations should work with the building staff, Police Department, and the Fire Marshal's office.
• In the event of an emergency, do not use the elevators unless instructed to do so.
• Once outside, proceed to a clear area that is at least 200 feet away from the affected building.
• Keep streets, fire lanes, hydrant areas, and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and personnel.
• Know your evacuation assembly points.
• DO NOT return to an evacuated building unless told to do so by a designated university official.

Four Primary Actions a TechAlert Message Will Ask the Campus Community to Take

1. Avoid Area - Keep a safe distance.
   • Stay away from specific campus location(s).
   • Example emergencies: vehicle accident, flooding, fire, bomb threat, chemical spill
2. Evacuate - Move to safety.
   • Quickly exit the specified location(s) and move to a safe place.
   • Example emergencies: fire, bomb threat, chemical spill, explosion, gas leak
3. Lockdown - Secure in place.
   • Stay indoors or find refuge in a lockable room, turn off lights, close shades/blinds, stay low and out-of-sight, silence electronics, and await an "all clear" message.
   • If you see or hear an active threat, AVOID, DENY, DEFEND.
     • AVOID - Create distance between you and the threat.
     • DENY - Barricade or block entry.
     • DEFEND - Be prepared to defend yourself.
   • Example emergencies: active shooter, armed individual
4. Shelter-in-place - Immediately find safety/shelter where you are and remain until an all-clear from emergency personnel is sent.
   • Hazard - Move or stay indoors. Take shelter in an interior room with no or few windows.
     • Example emergencies: unknown threat, chemical, nuclear, or biological hazard
   • Weather - If no basement is available, go to a lower-floor interior room, like a bathroom or closet. Stay away from windows.
     • Example emergencies: tornado warning, severe thunderstorm warning

When the alert system is activated, the message will notify campus community members of the emergency and its location. The message will provide information about the action the campus community should take to protect themselves.

University authorities may instruct campus members to shelter-in-place if a condition exists that is potentially life-threatening and has an immediate threat to the health and personal safety of the campus community. Immediate threats may include, but are not limited to, active shooter incidents, mass acts of violence, tornadoes, terrorist attacks, or hazardous materials incidents.

How to Shelter-in-Place

• If you can safely evacuate a potentially dangerous situation immediately, do so. If you cannot safely evacuate and you are inside, stay where you are.
• If you are outdoors, proceed into the closest building quickly or follow instructions from emergency personnel.
• Locate a ground level, interior room without windows, to shelter inside.
• Shut and lock, if possible, all windows and close exterior doors. Doors and windows may need to be barricaded, if possible.
• Turn off air conditioners, heaters, and fans.
• Close vents to ventilation systems, if possible.
• Make a list of people with you and ask someone to call the list into the police to inform them of your location.

Off-Campus Emergencies

The university may receive emergency information from the local police department about incidents within the immediate vicinity of campus that could imminently impact the safety of Texas Tech University. When appropriate, Texas Tech Police Department, or the Regional Site Director, will notify the campus community of off-campus threats that could also represent a threat to the health or safety of students or employees.