Emergency Preparedness

In the event of an active shooter on campus, follow the Avoid - Deny - Defend protocol:

AVOID: Starts with your state of mind

• Pay attention to your surroundings

• Have an exit plan
• Move away from the source of the threat as quickly as possible

• The more distance and barriers between you and the threat, the better

• Call 781-736-3333  (Brandies Public Safety) or 911 when it is safe to do so. Do not assume that someone else has reported the incident. The information that you are able to provide law enforcement may be critical, e.g. number of shooters, physical description and identification, number and type(s) of weapons, and location of the shooter.

DENY: When getting away is difficult or maybe even impossible

• Keep distance between you and the source

• Create barriers to prevent or slow down a threat from getting to you
• Turn the lights off and silence your phone
• Remain out of sight and quiet by hiding behind large objects

  • Remain in place until you receive an “all clear” message from BENS.

DEFEND: Because you have the right to protect yourself

• If you cannot AVOID or DENY, be prepared to DEFEND yourself

• Be aggressive and committed to your actions
• Do not fight fairly. THIS IS ABOUT SURVIVAL

• Call 781-736-3333 (public safety) or 911 when it is safe to do so.


Immediately after an incident

Wait for Local Law Enforcement officers to assist you out of the building, if inside.

When law enforcement arrives, students and employees must display empty hands with open palms.

Plan ahead

Visualize possible escape routes, including physically accessible routes for students and staff with disabilities and others with limited mobility.

Updated: 1/26/2023

1. When you receive a BENS Alert, please follow those instructions first.  You may be asked to either Shelter in Place OR Evacuate depending on the situation.
2. If asked to Shelter in Place: seek immediate shelter, if you are already indoors stay indoors and move away from doors and windows.
3. If asked to Evacuate: Information concerning evacuation will be disseminated should it become necessary. Many different factors determine if a building or residence hall will be evacuated. Public Safety officials will advise the community of the need to evacuate during an emergency and/or areas being used to temporarily house those being evacuated.
   • If you are asked to evacuate:  Evacuate the building through the nearest exit and proceed to an area at least 100 feet from the main building entrance or an area identified either by onsite University/Public Safety officials or instructions from the BENS Alert. Do NOT use elevators.
   • If essential personal belongings are close at hand (e.g., wallet/purse and medications), you may take them, but do not jeopardize your personal safety.  
   • Await instruction from public safety officials or your building captain, community adviser or quad director. Do not reenter a building until authorized by emergency personnel. 
   • Refrain from touching an electronic device, including light switches, until you are at least 100 feet from the main building. 
   •  Await further instructions from University/Public Safety officials
4. If you have received a bomb threat, call 781-736-3333. Provide as much information as possible.
   • Faculty/staff: Notify your supervisor and/or building captain. Students: Notify your community adviser or quad director.
   •  Await further instructions from University/Public Safety officials

In the event of a fire, follow these procedures:

1. Pull the nearest manual fire alarm and call 781-736-3333.

2. If essential personal belongings are close at hand (e.g., wallet/purse and medications), you may take them, but do not jeopardize your personal safety.

3. Evacuate the building through the nearest exit and proceed to the main building entrance or other area designated by your building captain, community adviser or quad director. Do NOT use elevators.

4. Await instruction from public safety or your building captain, community adviser or quad director. Do not reenter a building until authorized by emergency personnel.

In the event of a hazardous material release, follow these procedures:

1. If an emergency or if anyone is in danger, call 781-736-3333.

2. Move away from the site of the hazard to a safe location. Stay UPWIND of material.

3. Alert others to stay clear of the area.

4. Notify emergency personnel if you have been exposed.

8. Await further instructions from public safety officers.

In the event of severe weather or a natural disaster such as a tornado or earthquake, follow these procedures:

1. Check Brandeis information sources (campus notification system, human resources listserv, etc.) for updates and instructions.

2. If outdoors, take shelter in the nearest building.

3. Follow instructions from campus information sources, building captains, community advisers, quad directors and/or public safety officials.

4. Do not leave the area or campus without reporting your status to someone in charge.

In the event of a power outage, follow these procedures:

1. Remain calm; provide assistance to others if necessary.

2. Notify public safety at 781-736-3333. 

3. Move cautiously to a lighted area. Exits may be indicated by lighted signs if the emergency power is operating.

4. Turn off and unplug computers and other voltage-sensitive equipment.

5. For prolonged outages, await further instructions via the Brandeis Emergency Network System.

6. Confer with your building captain, community adviser or quad director for additional information and procedures.

In the event you discover a suspicious object, following these procedures:

1. Do not touch or disturb object.

2. Call 781-736-3333 and provide location and description of suspicious object.

3. Notify your supervisor, building captain, community adviser or quad director.

4. Be prepared to evacuate and await further instruction from public safety personnel (see evacuation procedures).