Personal Emergency Response Plan

FEMA and the American Red Cross recommend that all individuals have a personal response plan to be used in the event of an emergency.  We recommend that students discuss these considerations with their families before coming to campus for the new academic year. 

  1. Make a Plan: 
    1. Choose an “out-of-town” contact that family members can call following an emergency situation for information about where and how you are, in the event you cannot be reached directly. 
    2. Insure your belongings through your parents’ homeowner’s policy or through a company that provides insurance for college students.  Make a record of your possessions to assist in reimbursement in case of loss or damage.  Store this information in a safe deposit box or secure location.  Include photographs or video.  Get professional appraisals of jewelry or collectibles; make copies of receipts and canceled checks showing the cost of valuable items. 
    3. Important documents such as birth certificates, social security cards, passports, and immunization records should be kept in a safe location.  Keep a photocopy of these documents in a separate location.
    4. Bring an Emergency Supplies Kit: a three day supply of water and non-perishable food, a manual can opener, a portable, battery-powered radio, sleeping bag, flashlight and extra batteries, first aid kit, hand sanitizer, photocopies of identification and credit cards, cash, special needs items such as prescription medications, eye glasses, or contact lens solution.

 

  1. Get Informed: 
    1. Know that there are a number of ways the university will inform you of an emergency or crisis situation.  Any of the following may be used:  messages sent to the phone number you have on record with the university, updates posted on the university web site, flyers posted in common areas, and announcements made on WESU radio (88.1 FM)
    2. Familiarize yourself with evacuation plans for your residence. 

 

  1.  After arriving on campus:
    1. Know where residents are expected to gather in the case of a fire drill, sudden emergency or evacuation of your residence.  Should you live in a wood frame house or apartment, select a meeting place with your housemates.
    2. Grab your Emergency Supplies Kit if you need to evacuate the residence for an extended period of time. 
    3. When being evacuated for a short period of time (several hours), be sure to bring/wear shoes, and in cold weather, a jacket, long pants, hat and gloves, sleeping bag or warm blanket.