FAQs

 
FAQs

Is the University prepared to handle major emergencies on campus?

Yes. While no community can fully anticipate every possible emergency, planning helps ensure the University is ready to respond in the event of a crisis. This website is one of many resources for preparing the campus community to take appropriate actions during emergency situations.

Does the University have an emergency management plan?

Memorial University has Emergency Management Plans for the St. John's, Grenfell and Marine Institute Campuses. A plan is under development for the Harlow Campus. These plans are based on Public Safety Canada's Emergency Management Framework, incorporating all-hazards and the four pillars of emergency management.

The pillars cover preparing for emergencies, preventing/mitigating against emergencies, responding to emergencies and recovering from emergencies. The range of hazards can include floods to IM/IT equipment failures to responding to violent behavior on campus.

What can I do to prepare for an emergency or disaster?

The safety of our campus community (students, faculty, and staff) is our number one priority. However, one must understand that each of us must be prepared and take responsibility for our own safety.

Here are some things you can do to be prepared in the event of an emergency or disaster:

  • Self-educate with respect to all-hazards emergency planning on campus. This includes being knowledgeable of procedures and protocols and knowing how to react appropriately (e.g. knowing when to evacuate or not to evacuate a building).
  • Become self-prepared, identifying all mitigation strategies for protection when and wherever possible.
  • Know the campus emergency telephone number.
  • Know the evacuation route, assembly points and reception centre for the area in which you work, study or enjoy recreational activities.
  • Participate in any applicable emergency management training related to the duties/responsibilities you have on campus.
  • Become familiar with persons who study or work in your area who have disabilities or challenges. Be prepared to assist in emergencies to ensure their safety.
  • Create a personal emergency plan that includes a method for making contact with family and friends in the event of disaster.
  • Have emergency supplies available, such as first aid kits and non-perishable food and water.
  • Know how the University will communicate with you in the event of an emergency.

For more personal preparedness tips please visit Public Safety Canada's website.

What should I do in the event of an emergency or disaster?

You should:

  • Remain calm, be patient, use common sense, think before you act, and give assistance as needed.
  • Follow the advice of Emergency Wardens, Transportation and Works Security and emergency responders (i.e. police or fire).
  • Closely monitor news reports and the www.mi.mun.ca website for news and instructions.
  • If a natural disaster or human-caused incident occurs, stay away from the area.
  • Know where emergency devices (i.e. fire alarm pull stations) are located and the location of at least two emergency exits close to your living/working area.

You should not:

  • Use the telephone (landline or cellular) except to report the emergency situation.
  • Use elevators.
  • Jeopardize your life or the lives of others by attempting to save personal or university property.

How do I report an emergency?

To report an emergency call emergency services (9-911) or Transportation and Works Security (709-778-0644).

In the event of an emergency, how will the campus communicate with students, faculty, staff and parents?

In case of an emergency, the campus will communicate by several means, including personal communication where appropriate.

MUN Safe:

MUN Safe is an app that lets Memorial University students, staff, faculty and visitors quickly access campus resources 24/7 such as emergency push notifications, emergency procedures, incident reporting and more.

www.mun.ca/emergency/MUNSafe/

Web:


Listen to local radio stations
:

  • CBC Radio One 640 AM
  • VOCM 590 AM
  • OZFM 94.7 FM
  • Coast 101.1 FM
  • CHMR. 93.5 FM
  • K-Rock 97.5 FM

Telephone:

Call the Marine Institute campus switch board: 709-778-0200 or 1-800-563-5799

E-mail:

University email account holders will receive an email message if they are subscribed to Memorial's Newsline email service. If you are not receiving Newsline, contact help@mun.ca.

How will I know if the University closes?

The Marine Institute will not close except under unusual circumstances. In the event of severe weather or other emergencies, if the Marine Institute has to cancel classes or to close, information will be made available as quickly as possible through a variety of communications vehicles.

See above for more information. Advisories for late openings and all-day closings will be issued by 7 a.m. Early closings during daytime will be announced at least one hour in advance.

For more information please visit www.mi.mun.ca or Memorial University's Closures site.

What is a Level 3 emergency? Level 2? Level 1?

  • A level 3 emergency is a threat that critically affects life and safety, university infrastructure, academic programs, research, administrative operations, environment and/or reputation. Such a threat will require full activation of the Campus Emergency Response Team and the establishment of an Emergency Operations Centre. The threat could involve one or more of the following: fatality, serious injury, serious acts of violence, serious threats which could impact university property and the surrounding area, serious health issues (e.g. pandemic), and/or major infrastructure damage (e.g. an entire building or buildings). These threats could result in the closure of the full Marine Institute Campus or specific areas of the campus, and attract significant media and political interest.
  • A level 2 emergency is a threat that substantially affects life and safety, university infrastructure, academic programs, research, administrative operations, environment and/or reputation. Such a threat will require full activation of the Emergency Operations Centre Group, partial or full activation of the Campus Emergency Response Team and could involve the establishment of an Emergency Operations Centre. The threat could involve the following: injuries, moderate health issues (e.g. epidemic), threats that are localized to the university property, moderate damage to infrastructure (e.g. a floor of a building). These threats could result in a partial closure of the Marine Institute and attract localized media and political interest.
  • A level 1 emergency is a threat that minimally affects areas of life and safety, university infrastructure, academic programs, research, administrative operations, environment and/or reputation. Such threats would not require the establishment of an Emergency Operations Centre nor the activation of the Campus Emergency Response Team. These threats are handled by academic and administrative offices as part of normal day-to-day operations. The threat would normally be a localized threat (e.g. a small chemical spill, computer virus, winter storm). These threats could result in the need for a first response from local fire departments, police departments, or ambulance services.

How can I find out more about Memorial's safety and preparedness programs?

You can contact the Office of Emergency Management:

Holly Tobin
Emergency Management Analyst
htobin@mun.ca
709-864-7661