Be Prepared

Just like studying for that test, being prepared takes time. Emergencies can happen when you least expect them, whether you’re in a classroom, studying at the library, dining in the hall, or in your dorm or apartment. It’s your responsibility to be ready before, during, and after an emergency. Be CWRU Ready for whatever challenges come your way by following these six simple steps:

1. Stay informed about what is happening on campus.
2. Know how to report an emergency.
3. Know what to do during an emergency.
4. Make a plan.
5. Build a kit.
6. Download the Spartan Safe App.

Make sure you are familiar with:

• Your office, workspace and/or classrooms
  • Identify the location of the closest emergency equipment (fire extinguishers, AEDs, stop the bleed kits, etc.)
• Your building's emergency action plan

Be prepared to act:

• If you discover an emergency situation or observe something suspicious, call 216.368.3333
• Depending on the situation, evacuate or shelter-in-place. Absent official instructions, use your best judgment
• Protect yourself. Do not jeopardize yourself or others attempting to save property
• Assist others, but do not exceed your training or knowledge rendering first aid

Training

• Emergency Preparedness

Guides

• Faculty Checklist for Classroom Preparedness
• Classroom Door Locks
• Run, Hide, Fight video

Resources

• Building Emergency Action Plans
• Care Report

Sending your loved one off to college can be a mix of fear, anxiety, and excitement. We understand this might be your child's first time away from home, and college can be just as challenging for parents and guardians as it is for students. CWRU has put plans in place to enhance the university’s readiness for any potential disasters. While it’s impossible to prevent every emergency, we can take steps to reduce risks and prepare effectively. We are committed to the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and community.

Despite our proactive measures, we cannot foresee or prevent every possible emergency. We encourage our students to be personally prepared for a variety of situations that may arise on or near campus. It's crucial to discuss the increased responsibility for personal safety that your student will have while living in Cleveland. We refer to this as being CWRU Ready.

Prepare Before an Emergency

• We highly recommend creating a communication plan with your student to use in case of an emergency. Ensure that you both know how to reach each other.
• Go over the Make a Plan page with your student. Work together to create a plan so that everyone knows how to communicate and meet up if needed.
• Encourage your student to add their mobile phone number at getrave.com to receive text message alerts, download the Spartan Safe app, and read emergency procedures.
• Parents and guardians can choose to opt-in to receive CWRU Alerts by texting the phrase "CWRUalerts" to 67283.

During an Emergency

• Do not panic if you cannot reach your child. Following a large-scale emergency cell phones do not usually work.
• Unless directed to do so, do not come to campus during an emergency as additional individuals and traffic on campus will inhibit response efforts.

Students, faculty, and staff should be ready for the unexpected by developing personal emergency plans. It’s wise to discuss with your parents and family members what actions to take in case of an emergency while at CWRU. Everyone should be prepared to implement their personal preparedness plans if the situation demands it.

Step 1: Put a plan together by discussing the questions below with your family, friends or household to start your emergency plan.

• How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
• What is my shelter plan?
• What is my evacuation route?
• What is my family/household communication plan?
• Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit? 

Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household.

• Different ages of members within your household
• Responsibilities for assisting others
• Locations frequented
• Dietary needs
• Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment
• Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment
• Languages spoken
• Cultural and religious considerations
• Pets or service animals
• Households with school-aged children

Step 3: Create a Family Emergency Plan.

• Make a Family Emergency Plan quickly and easily with ready.gov's fillable form.

Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household.

Visit Ready.gov/plan for more information on making a plan.

Assembling an emergency supply kit is a crucial part of being prepared. Your kit should include essential items that you might need during an emergency, whether you're on campus, at home, or out in the community. During and after an emergency, it's important to be self-sufficient, so your kit should contain enough supplies to sustain you for at least 72 hours.

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio, a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit & whistle to signal for help
• Cell phone and computer chargers (inverter or solar charger are best)
• Medications
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Extra cash (credit card and ATM networks might also be impacted by the emergency event)
• Wrench or pliers
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps

Another incredibly important item to have on you is identification. Examples of ID include your CWRU ID, driver’s license, or passport.

Visit Ready.gov/kit for more information on building a kit.