Fall 2021 reminders from Public Safety

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As the university makes its way through the fall term, Public Safety would like to remind the community about several university policies and procedures to help keep the campus safe.

Emergency notification systems

DePaul has various ways to alert the campus community to an emergency on-campus:

Fire alarms

Evacuate immediately upon hearing a fire alarm. Use interior stairwells if safe to do so, meaning no smoke or fire, and exterior fire escapes as a last resort. Persons with disabilities may need assistance leaving the building during an evacuation. Visit the Public Safety website for more information.

In-building emergency speakers

DePaul has speakers in all university-owned buildings to allow for audible announcements of emergencies not related to smoke or fire.  Please note message boards will no longer scroll the emergency message. Message boards will remain as clocks in classrooms.

DPU Alert: text, email, and voice calls

DPU Alert can notify the DePaul community simultaneously in up to three different ways: via telephone, e-mail and text message. DePaul will send DPU Alerts in emergencies only. Be sure to verify your contact information for DPU Alert in Campus Connect. More information on DPU Alert can be found online.

Acts of violence

Public Safety encourages community members to contemplate a number of options for how to respond to an act of violence in various locations, both on and off campus. If you hear gunfire, shouting, screams or commotion, react immediately. Please visit the Public Safety website to view "Shots Fired On Campus" and a short video demonstrating how to use door barricades in classrooms. We encourage all faculty members especially to practice using door barricades in the classrooms where they teach. Knowing how to use these devices BEFORE an emergency is critical.

The following actions are also recommended:

Run: Escape from the threat if you have a clear path of escape. When in doubt, barricade or secure your area. Call 911 when you are safe.

Hide: Barricade or secure your area to delay the attacker if you do not have a clear path of escape.

• When in doubt, seek a secure location.
  
• Lock the room or office; stay quiet; turn lights off; hide under desk or in closet; cell phone on silent, not just vibrate.
  
• If the room does not lock, barricade the door with whatever is available - chairs, tables, or desk. Use a door barricade device in classrooms.
  

Fight: As a last resort, attempt to incapacitate the shooter. Improvise weapons or throw items.

• Attack as a team if possible, from multiple angles.
  
• Use items such as chairs, fire extinguishers or coffee mugs.

Please note Public Safety recommends you first call 911 in an active shooter situation. Then call Public Safety at the Loop Campus (312) 362-8400 or the Lincoln Park Campus (773) 325-7777.