Emergency Information

FIRE

• Pull the nearest fire alarm.
• Exit the building immediately.
• Do NOT leave campus until accounted for by staff.
• DO NOT RE-ENTER BUILDING UNLESS ACCOUNTED FOR BY STAFF.

LOCKDOWN

• Close and lock the door.
• Turn off lights.
• Silence cell phones & refrain from use.
• Move to an area out of line of sight of the door.
• REMAIN IN PLACE until released by police.

Shelter-in-Place

• Stay Indoors: When the shelter-in-place alert is issued, all students, faculty, and staff should immediately seek shelter inside the nearest building. 
• Move To Interior Spaces: Choose a room or area away from windows and doors. Ideal locations include emergency shelters, interior hallways, or rooms with no windows.
• Secure the Space: Once inside, lock or barricade doors, if possible, close any windows.
• Remain Calm and Await Instructions: Please remain in your shelter-in-place location until an official all-clear message is given through text alerts. 
• All Clear: Once the “all clear” is announced you may resume regular activities.

Storm Shelter Alert

During a Storm Shelter Alert, individuals should make their way quickly to the nearest designated Storm Shelter.

Storm shelter signs have been placed across the campus to identify locations that meet one or more of the safety location requirements in the event of a severe weather warning, such as a tornado.

If you cannot get to a designated Storm Shelter, find a location that:

• Has no windows.
• Is on the lowest possible floor of a building.
• Has no exterior walls.

Upon notification of a Storm Shelter Alert, all persons should proceed to the closest designated Storm Shelter, assisting those in need and directing those under their supervision to go to the Storm Shelter. Whenever possible, employees should maintain an approximate head count of the people in their areas. All building occupants are to remain in the Storm Shelter until the Warning has expired or until notified that the danger has passed.

Main Campus Shelters:

• Tazewell Hall: T119 (Auditorium)
• Russell Hall: R 123 and 124
• Davis Hall: 121 (Auditorium)
• King Community Center: First-floor lounge and training rooms
• Dickenson Hall: Lobby
• Buchanan Hall: Advising Center
• Dellinger Hall: 149 
• Physical Plant: Central bathrooms
• Workforce Building: Storage room

Lebanon Center Shelter:

• B115 (Auditorium)

See the Inclement Weather Closing or Delay Status for current closings and delays, if any.

Emergency Drills

Emergency Drills are an important component of Southwest’s Emergency Preparedness Plan. By practicing what to do before an emergency, you learn what to do and how to get to safety more quickly in the event of an actual emergency.

• A variety of drills will be performed each academic year.
• Review the evacuation and shelter-in-place instructions published on this page.
• Sign up for Southwest Alerts to receive urgent information about drills, emergencies, and other matters.
• After a drill, we encourage you to leave feedback to let us know what went well or where we may improve.