In an emergency, students will look to their instructor for leadership. If you have a teaching role, you should be prepared to take on this responsibility. Whether you’re a classroom instructor, senior lab member, event coordinator, or 1-on-1 tutor, this page will help you develop a plan and talk to your students so you can be ready in an emergency situation.
Be Ready
Yale’s Office of Public Safety has resources to help you prepare for a range of emergency situations
Be Prepared
When an emergency is in progress, it’s too late to figure out your options. Here are some steps you can take to be ready.
- Stay informed. Make sure you’re signed up for Yale ALERT, and save the number in your contacts: 203-432-5830.
- Be ready to contact help.
- Have your cell phone available to call 911—or text 911 if it isn’t safe to speak.
- Download the LiveSafe app, which allows you to call or chat with Yale Police.
- Save the Yale Police number in your contacts: 203-432-4400.
- Know the locations of nearby emergency equipment: fire extinguishers, defibrillators (AED), etc.
- Be prepared to “Run, Hide, Fight”
- Run first if you can. Identify multiple pathways of escaping danger so you can lead students to the safest route.
- If you can’t run, hide. If your classroom is secure, make a plan for locking or barricading the door. If your classroom has glass walls or unsecured doors, identify a nearby location where you and your students can take cover.
- If you can’t hide, fight. Have a plan for teaming up to defend yourselves should you need to confront an assailant.
If you want to learn more, Yale’s Office of Public Safety offers a range of courses to help you respond during an emergency.
Talk to Your Students
The script below is written for the classroom, but can be adapted to settings like labs and events. Use it as a guide for preparing your students. If an emergency arises, you’ll be glad you did.
Although unlikely, it’s always possible an emergency could happen during class. If an emergency happens, I will stop teaching right away.
If the safest choice is to evacuate, there are two ways out of the building: [pathway 1] and [pathway 2]. After exiting the building, we’ll meet at [location].
If the safest choice is to hide, we will take cover [secure location inside the classroom or nearby].
When it is safe to do so, we’ll call 911 and identify our building and room number as well as the issue.
There’s not always a clear right answer in an emergency situation. Prioritize getting away from danger and trust your judgment.
After an Emergency
If you or your students are struggling after an emergency, Yale offers a range of mental health resources for students, faculty, and staff.
- All students have access to Yale Mental Health & Counseling, and Embedded Mental Health Counselors support students from Yale College, GSAS, and several professional schools.
- Faculty and staff can sign up for confidential counseling through Yale’s personal wellness signature benefits.
- Chaplains from the Chaplain’s Office are available for confidential appointments with anyone from the Yale community who wants to talk.