Emergency Planning

Students are expected to be responsibile for their own safety and it is important to create an emergency plan before an emergency happens.

• One of the best ways to be informed about campus emergencies is to enroll in Flash ALERTS, Kent State's official emergency text notification system.
• You can also find helpful information and in-depth emergency management guides from the Department of Public Safety and Ready.gov.
• Students may also complete the Emergency Evacuation Information Form to provide information to first responders about their disability and how it may impact an evacuation. 

The following emergency preparedness guidelines can help students with disabilities plan for emergencies.

• Familiarize yourself with your surroundings.
• Identify primary and secondary routes to exits, stairwells, or other safe areas in buildings where you will take classes.
• Take all fire alarms seriously. Always follow the instructions of alarms or first responders.
• Keep an up-to-date list of emergency contacts. 
• Have important medical information readily available for first responders. It may be helpful to let others know where you keep this information.
• If you have specialized medical equipment, medications, or other devices, make sure they are readily available, and take them with you.

Common Emergency Signage

Below is an example of a Building Emergency Plan that identifies the exit routes, building exits, tornado shelter areas, fire alarm pull stations, and locations of fire extinguishers and automated external defibrillators. Building Emergency Plans are typically posted near stairwells and elevators.

Below are examples of signs that indicate the building location of a tornado shelter.