Urgent Communications - The Ohio State University

During recent weeks and months, as international tensions were rising and the threat of war loomed, the university revisited and enhanced its plans for the safety and security of all faculty, students, staff and visitors to the campus area.

A few safety and security enhancements are described for you below. As a member of the Ohio State community, you can play an important role in safety plans and are encouraged to:

Continue to be vigilant and alert for suspicious or potentially unsafe activities or circumstances. Report any suspicious activity to OSU Police at 292-2121.
Call 9-1-1 if you witness a crime in progress, see an overt dangerous activity, or need to report a life-threatening injury or situation.
Familiarize yourself with your department’s emergency communication and evacuation plans.
Learn about the numerous resources available to all faculty, staff and students at: http://www.osu.edu/urgent/resources.html

While the university has received no specific threats or information about imminent danger at Ohio State, the safety and security of all members of the campus community is of utmost concern. To this end, the following measures have been implemented:

Public safety, police, and security protocols and procedures have been reviewed (and where appropriate) increased or enhanced. This includes athletic, cultural, and special events.
An emergency procedures handbook has been updated and revised.
This web site was established for members of the university community, including parents, to access emergency information. In addition, safety and security information is available at: http://www.ps.ohio-state.edu
A toll-free 800 number has been reserved and could be activated in an emergency.
Crisis intervention teams have been established and will respond as appropriate to any given situation.
Evacuation plans have been or are being developed by the various units at the university.
A crisis communications plan exists for communications within the university and externally.
Plans have been review and updated at University Hospitals to assure care for those hospitalized, to activate the engagement of first-line care providers, and to make technology and facilities available for decontamination and patient care.
Training exercises are occurring and periodic reviews of hospital capacity are ongoing, and are reported to the federal government as required. Medical supplies are also being stockpiled.
Academic and administrative units have developed or are developing emergency response procedures to follow in the event of an urgent situation or critical incident. These documents provide the details to address the safety and security of faculty, staff, students and visitors. These documents also include procedures for continued business operations at the university.

In addition, the university has already-established relationships with federal, state, city and county agencies and could immediately enact emergency plans with them. And lastly, OSU Public Safety personnel routinely patrol university buildings and campus property.

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