What to do: Individual
Overview
Whether natural or man-made, a disaster can strike at any time and in many ways. It can come in the form of a fire, flood, bomb, biological attack, epidemic, or other event. Due to the wide scope of possible catastrophes, the University of Chicago and the University of Chicago Medical Center (UCMC) each have created emergency response plans to ensure effective and efficient response systems for diverse scenarios. University employees working in the Medical Center should consult the UCMC emergency planning document for additional information.
In conjunction with these response systems, it is important that all members of the University community know the role they would play in the event of an emergency.
- University Students must become familiar with the emergency plan for their residence hall or residential building, and academic unit.
- University Employees must become familiar with their department’s emergency plan.
During a disaster, it is possible you may not be able to return to your home or local residence right away. Some University employees will need to remain at work long after their normal work hours to assist with the University’s emergency response. If you are expected to stay at work, it is important to anticipate the impact your extended work day may have on your personal life. Likewise, students must be prepared for a delay in returning to their local residence and must also anticipate the impact a campus or local emergency could have on family members concerned for their well-being.
All members of the University community are encouraged to create a personal emergency response plan to guide the communication and actions between them and their loved ones during a disaster. Having such a plan can lessen the feelings of anxiety that may accompany such situations.
This website provides useful guidelines for your own personal planning in the event of an emergency. Please read it carefully and bookmark it for future reference.
