The best way to protect yourself is to know how to respond during an emergency BEFORE it happens. Make sure you’re prepared for emergencies and know what actions to take when uOttawa authorities direct you to:
Are you ready?
The safety of the campus community is the University of Ottawa’s top priority, and we all have a role to play in emergency preparedness. Do you know how to prepare for an emergency and know what to do when one occurs? Do you know how to get alerted about an emergency? Do you know how to report an emergency? Explore the ‘Are you ready?’ site to learn uO’s emergency preparedness best practices.
Quick links
Step 1: Know what to do in emergencies
Violent threats
Violent threats are extremely rare, but they do require specific actions and reactions.
Shelter-in-place
If an emergency threatens the safety of those outside a uOttawa building, people in the threatened area may be instructed to shelter-in-place.
Evacuation
If an emergency threatens the safety of those inside a uOttawa building, people in the threatened area may be instructed to evacuate.
Other hazards
Many types of emergency can occur on a university campus, including fires, natural disasters and hazardous-material spills.
Step 2: Rely on AlertUO
In the event of a situation affecting the safety of our campus community, it’s vital that we be ready to provide you with reliable information as early as possible. The University has implemented a mass notification system to ensure we can reach you efficiently and effectively through a variety of methods.
Step 3: Be prepared for emergencies
Know the risks
A hazard doesn’t have to become a catastrophe. By understanding the potential hazards in our community and learning how to prepare for them, you can go a long way toward reducing the impact of any emergency.
Make a plan
Emergencies happen without warning, leaving little or no time to figure out how to respond. Your best defence is to form a plan with this emergency guide (PDF, 1.8MB) before the emergency occurs. Make sure you not only keep your plan in a safe place, but also review and update it regularly.
Get a kit
You can never tell how long an emergency will last. Do yourself a favour: put together a kit with some basic supplies and store it in a safe place. You never know when it’ll come in handy.
Accessibility and emergencies
The University takes into account the best interests of all its students and staff, all the time. If you have a disability or a special need, this website applies to you as well. Please acquaint yourself with its contents and then contact us to learn more on how you can protect yourself with a personalized plan.
Also, be sure to check out the Ontario Personal Preparedness Guide for people with disabilities or special needs for additional information. If you require an alternative format (braille, e-text, large print) version of these emergency procedures please visit the Alternative formats of uOttawa publications webpage.
Step 4: Update your personal profile
It’s vital that we have current emergency contact information in case anything happens to you on campus. Update your personal profile so we know whom to call.
Students
Students can update their emergency contact and next of kin information on uoZone. Go to Applications and select Emergency Contacts.
Learn more about our student emergency contact notification process (PDF, 60KB).
Faculty and staff
Employees can update their emergency contacts on My HR Profile.
See the My HR Profile guide (PDF, 3.2MB) for more information on how to access it.
Contact us
Report an emergency
On campus: 613-562-5411
Off campus: 911
Office of Emergency Management
If you have any questions, please email: [email protected]
Visit the Office of Emergency Management website for other available services.