Emergency Preparedness

The first priority of all campus workers is the safety of students and the campus community. If a major emergency occurs, the College will activate the Emergency Management Team, which will provide up-to-date information to campus and aid in short-term and long-term decision making.

Group of police officers and emergency responders standing in front of a red fire truck outdoors.

Cougaralert (Emergency Notification System)

The College of Charleston has an agreement with the NTI Group to provide an emergency notification system that is capable of reaching students, faculty, staff and parents within minutes of a campus crisis. This system, called CougarAlert, allows students to select multiple notification phone numbers for themselves and their family members. To update your contact information, log on to MyCharleston and follow the instructions.

Emergency Procedures

It is critical to know what to do in case of emergency. Below is a quick reference for what to do in a variety of emergency situations, although students should always follow the directions of Public Safety officers. More information can be found at emergency.charleston.edu/.

Fires

  • Remain calm.
  • Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station.
  • Call 911.
  • Notify occupants and help those needing assistance in the immediate area.
  • Confine the fire by closing doors as you exit.
  • Evacuate the building at the nearest exit.
  • Do not re-enter the building until authorized to do so by emergency personnel.

Building Evacuation Procedures

  • Evacuation is mandatory when a fire alarm is activated.
  • Do not use elevators.
  • Take personal belongings (ID, keys, purses, wallets) and dress appropriately for the weather.
  • Close doors as you exit.
  • Move all personnel to a safe area, away from the building in danger.

Suspicious Packages

  • Do not touch or disturb the object or package.
  • Evacuate the immediate area.
  • Call 911.
  • Notify your building administrator, residence hall director or RA.

Bomb Threats

  • Remain calm.
  • Get as much information as possible from the threatening caller.
  • Call 911.
  • Follow instructions from emergency personnel.

Suspicious Behavior/Persons of Concern

  • Do not physically confront the person exhibiting the behavior.
  • Do not let anyone into a locked room/building.
  • Do not block a person’s access to an exit.
  • Call 911.

Active Shooters

  • If possible, exit the building immediately and call Public Safety at 843.953.5611.
  • If you cannot exit, clear the hallway immediately and/or remain behind closed doors in a locked or barricaded room, if possible. Stay away from windows.
  • Remain calm and quietly call Public Safety at 843.953.5611.
  • Do not assume someone else has called police or emergency personnel.
  • Evacuate the room only when authorities have arrived and instruct you to do so.
  • Do not leave or unlock the door to see what is happening.
  • Do not attempt to confront or apprehend the shooter, unless as a last resort.

Weather Emergencies

  • Call the Emergency Weather Hotline at 843.725.7246 (725.RAIN).
  • For procedures, refer to the College’s Hurricane Plan at emergency.charleston.edu, the College’s emergency website.
  • Throughout the event, continue to check the emergency website.
  • For updates, monitor local television and radio stations for announcements.