three people helping in the emergency situation

Emergency Procedures

The University of Ottawa takes all necessary measures to ensure that students, staff and external agencies know how to proceed in the event of an on-campus emergency.

The University of Ottawa has created their own mobile safety application - SecurUO. With the app, you can quickly be alerted to emergency situations or reach out directly to Protection Services. Download the app or visit their website for more information.

The best way to protect yourself during an emergency is to know how to respond before it happens. Make sure you’re prepared for emergencies by checking out uOttawa’s Emergency Preparedness site. There, you can find information about what to do during all sorts of emergencies, including severe weather and earthquakes, flooding and shelter-in-place /lockdown emergencies. The Health and Safety Program Manuals also provide details about laboratory practices to maintain a safe workplace and how to react in case of an incident or accident.

Report an Accident, Incident or Health Emergency

All accidents, injuries, or health emergencies must be reported as soon as possible to aid in the investigation of causes, remediation of issues, as well as helping any potential insurance issues. Please fill out the online Accidents, Incidents, and Occupational Disease reporting form. 

If this is an emergency, call protection services at 613-562-5411 or by dialing extension 5411 from a landline. Serious health emergencies include, but are not limited to:

  • Life is in jeopardy
  • Unconsciousness
  • Substantial loss of blood
  • Limb fracture
  • Burns to a major portion of the body
  • Loss of sight in an eye

To deal with other issues, there are several Designated First Aiders located throughout the Alta Vista Campus:

Building Maintenance

Any non-urgent problems relating to building maintenance should be reported to Facilities Office.

All maintenance emergencies should be directed to x2222 or to emergency number x5411, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. A maintenance emergency is a situation where the condition of a building, grounds or vehicles can affect the safety of users or can create a dangerous situation.

The University has an emergency management plan in place to address any potential hazardous material incidents or spills at the University. All spills are reported to Protection Services by calling 613-562-5411 or by dialing extension 5411 from a landline. Small-scale spills with limited to no health hazards are generally cleaned up by lab personnel using spill kits that include absorbent materials and other safety equipment. If it is determined that the spill is beyond our immediate emergency response capabilities, protection services will dispatch a specialized emergency response contractor to assess the situation and coordinate the cleanup in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Risk Officer.

Fire Emergency

It is against the law to remain within the building during a fire alarm event.

Please note: The buildings that comprise the Alta Vista Campus are not equipped with an intercom or loudspeaker system to enable the provision of real-time information during an alarm event. Therefore anyone who is inside the building during a fire alarm event must obey all instructions given by the emergency evacuation team (Building Wardens during normal business hours) or the on-duty Protection Officer (outside normal business hours) until the "ALL CLEAR" has been issued and any emergency vehicles have departed.

A map showing the two marshalling areas near RGN
A map showing the two muster points near RGN

If you discover a fire:

  • Remain calm and leave the danger area

  • Do not enter a smoke-filled room

  • Close all doors on the way out

  • Sound the alarm by pulling nearest manual fire alarm pull station

  • Call Protection Services at x5411

  • Use the nearest safe exit and proceed either to the one of the two muster points near RGN:

    • Parking Lot 13

    • Grass slope south of the building

  • Do not attempt to use the elevators

If you hear the building fire alarm:

  • Turn off electrical equipment and extinguish all open flames

  • Touch the door before opening

    • If it is hot, stay where you area and call Protection Services at x5411

    • If it is not, leave the building by the nearest safe exit, closing all doors behind you.

  • Do not enter a smoke-filled corridor; it may be safer to remain where you are.

    • Close the door and block any openings with a damp cloth or towel.

  • Use the nearest safe exit and proceed either to the one of the two muster points near RGN:

    • Parking Lot 13

    • Grass slope south of the building

  • Do not attempt to use the elevators