What to Do in a Campus Emergency

Emergency procedure signs are posted near the stairs and elevators in every building. These signs tell you what to do during different emergencies. They also show the location of your building’s Emergency Assembly Area.

In the event of a fire:

  • Pull on the nearest manual pull station and call 911.
  • Only use a fire extinguisher if you’ve been trained and the exit is clear. Contact EH&S to request fire extinguisher training.  
  • By law, everyone must evacuate the building when the alarm sounds or when directed by emergency personnel or a campus issued message.
  • Take the stairs. If you have limited mobility, plan ahead and arrange for assistance as needed.
  • Gather at your building’s Emergency Assembly Area, where roll should be taken.
  • Re-enter the building only when instructed by the fire department, the campus fire marshal, or UC Police.

In the event of an earthquake:

  • Drop, cover, and hold.
  • Evacuate your building if you hear the building alarm or you’re instructed to do so by emergency personnel or a campus issued message.

Campus sirens:

  • Campus alerting and warning sirens are tested on the first Wednesday of each month at noon
  • Shelter, shut, and listen if you hear the sirens at any other time.

Fire Prevention

To prevent fires and reduce the risk of injury or damage:

  • Report fire hazards to your supervisor
  • Keep corridors and exits unobstructed
  • Don’t tamper with fire protection devices or equipment
  • Know the locations of all exits from your building

Resources

Office of Emergency Management

Building Emergency Plan

The Building Emergency Plan (BEP) provides a detailed emergency response plan for each campus building. 

Building coordinators will provide Building Emergency Plan information to department personnel via their department website or sharing a PDF file or paper copies of the BEP.

Please review your building’s current Building Emergency Plan. If you have any questions regarding the BEP for your building, contact the building coordinator. Additional emergency planning and response information is available on the Office of Emergency Management website or by request: oem@berkeley.edu.

Building Coordinators

Building coordinators can access Building Emergency Plans at the UC Ready website.

Building coordinators are responsible for updating their building’s BEP annually, in March, during UC Readiness Month. Log on to the UC Ready website to update your contact information or other information required in your Building Emergency Plan (BEP). The information you provide automatically creates an updated electronic version of your Building Emergency Plan. 

Fire Safety Policy

Fire Extinguisher Training

Learn how to receive fire extinguisher training here.

Safety Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities

See: Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities on the UC Berkeley Disability Access & Compliance Website