What to Do

Reporting

The University is committed to maintaining a safe campus environment. To this end, everyone in the campus community is encouraged to help by reporting conditions that may pose a risk to individuals or property. Do not assume that someone else will report observed concerns. Reports can be made to the following departments:

  • Facilities Management: (302) 831-1141
  • UDPD - Non-Emergency: (302) 831-8373 or (302) 831-2222
  • Department of Environmental Health & Safety: (302) 831-8475
  • Department of Public Safety: (302) 831-2222

Communicating

How will the University communicate emergency information and updates to students, faculty, staff, and visitors during an emergency? The University of Delaware's primary emergency notification tool is UD Alert. UD Alert allows staff to send emergency messages within minutes of a situation and is typically activated only during situations where there is an imminent danger to the safety and welfare of students, faculty, and staff. Additional information on UD Alert, including how to sign up for the alerts or customize your alert notification modes, can be found at: http://www1.udel.edu/alert.

Alternative communication tools that will be used during an emergency include university email; university home page posting; broadcast messaging using the Live Safe App; use of the outdoor public address system; social media and local media outlets (print, television, and radio).

Training

FEMA offers a host of courses that are free and open to the public. These are offered online through their independent study platform, as well as in person, either at the Emergency Management Institute or another host location. The Delaware Emergency Management Agency also is home to its own all-hazards training program that hosts courses, workshops, and exercises that cover a wide variety of emergency management topics. If you are interested in learning more about the training and exercises offered by FEMA, DEMA, or the Office of Campus and Public Safety, please contact the Associate Director of Emergency Management, Josh Kelly, at JoshK@udel.edu.

Volunteering

If you are interested in taking a more active role in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and disasters, the following are active volunteer organizations that support communities in Delaware:

Recent News Emergency Operations Plan

Storm Ready University

The University of Delaware is the first university in Delaware to gain full StormReady® status. The StormReady® program helps community leaders and residents better prepare for hazardous weather and flooding. StormReady® communities have made a strong commitment to implement the infrastructure and systems needed to save lives and protect property when severe weather strikes. As a StormReady® entity, the University of Delaware is better prepared to save lives from the occurrence of severe weather through advanced planning, education, and awareness. Click on this link to read the UDaily story about this award.

Blue Hen Strong

The Office of Emergency Management is proud to maintain a robust and active training and exercise program. Some recent highlights include the 2023 Blue Hen Strong full-scale exercise and two tabletop exercise's planned for 2024. One in partnership with UD-IT and the Department of Homeland Security dealing with cyber threats on campus and one, in partnership, with the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and UDPD dealing with a rail spill emergency. For more information regarding UD's emergency management training and exercise program or to request support please reach out through the embedded OEM contact form.

Emergency Operations Plan

The University of Delaware has a fully developed Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) established to assist with planning and preparation for emergency situations, including proactive efforts to reduce risk and mitigate loss, as well as outline and guide those involved in response and recovery following such emergency situations.