The Office of Emergency Preparedness & Safety is dedicated to ensuring that the campus is prepared for all hazards. This is accomplished through policy and plan development, training, testing and education.

The first step to preparedness is knowledge of the hazard. To learn more about each hazard, how to respond, and ways to prepare, click on the following links:

Natural:

• FLOODING
• THUNDERSTORM/LIGHTNING
• TORNADOES
• WINTER WEATHER

Man-Made and Technological:

• ACTIVE SHOOTER
• BOMB THREAT
• FIRE

Consider assembling an emergency supplies kit to improve your personal preparedness. Click here for suggestions on what to include in your 72-hour kit.

For more information on emergency preparedness and safety around campus, keep an eye out for the office’s newsletters:

• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 
• SPRING BREAK

Panther ALERT/ADVISORY

In order to keep all members of campus informed about emergency and urgent situations, Panther ALERTS and ADVISORIES are broadcast through the Blackboard Connect mass notification system. These messages are broadcast via text, email, voice, campus phones, campus message boards, the HPU website, and social media depending on the nature of the incident. The Office of Emergency Preparedness & Safety and Security Department are responsible for initially notifying the campus via Panther Alerts or Advisories. The Office of Communications will be responsible for providing more in-depth information regarding the incident.

PANTHER ALERT

A Panther ALERT will be sent during situations when there is an immediate threat to personal safety and property (e.g. tornado warning, active shooter, significant hazardous materials spill/release). To ensure that the campus is aware of the dangerous situation, Panther ALERTs will be broadcast by every means possible, including:

• Text messages
• Voice message
• Email
• Campus Phones
• Campus Message Boards
• Update to the HPU website, Facebook and Twitter
• Activation of the siren/PA system

PANTHER ADVISORY

A Panther ADVISORY will be sent during situations when there is not an immediate risk to personal safety or property but may significantly disrupt campus operations (e.g. building closures, power outages, tornado watches). A Panther ALERT is considered a lower class of warning, and is broadcast to the following channels:

• Text messages
• Voice messages
• Email

Students can update their contact information in MyStuff. Faculty and staff should update their contact information via the Blackboard Connect portal. Click here for step-by-step instructions.

CONTACT

Any questions, concerns, or suggestions regarding campus emergency preparedness and/or safety issues should be directed to Gus Porter, Emergency Preparedness & Safety Coordinator, at 336-841-9562 or gporter@highpoint.edu.