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Emergencies

Emergency Phone Numbers

EMERGENCY (Police, Fire, Medical)

  • Dial 911

NU POLICE – Chicago

  • 456 (on-campus)
  • (312) 503-3456 (off-campus)

NU POLICE – Evanston

  • 456 (on-campus)
  • (847) 491-3456 (off-campus)
In the Event of a Fire or Visible Smoke

Use C.A.R.E. (Contain, Activate, Report, Evacuate or Extinguish)

  • Contain the emergency by closing all doors
  • Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station – grasp the handle and pull firmly
    • Fire alarm stations are located near every exit from a public building
  • Report the fire from a safe location by dialing 911
  • Evacuate the building using the nearest safe exit
    • If smoke or flames block the exit, move toward an alternate, safe exit
    • Gather with your co-workers at a designated evacuation assembly area outside and away from the building. Don’t congregate near entrances.
  • Extinguish ­- You may use a fire extinguisher only if:
    • You have been trained to use it
    • You are physically capable of using it
    • There is limited smoke or flames
    • You have the proper extinguisher for the type of fire you are fighting
    • You have your back to an unobstructed exit
    • Everyone has safely left the area
  • Never fight a fire if:
    • It has spread from its origin
    • You cannot extinguish the fire in less than 30 seconds
In the Event of a Power Failure

Evacuation is required because the ventilation system will stop functioning.

  • If you are working in the lab, once there is adequate emergency lighting:
    • Cap any open chemical containers
    • Close gas cylinders
    • Perform an orderly shutdown of equipment and processes
    • Close the fume hood sash
    • If refrigerators, freezers or cold rooms contain heat-sensitive materials, consider using dry ice to keep these materials cold
    • Leave immediately when the area has been secured and can be safely left unattended
    • Contact ORS or UP if there is a possibility of an uncontrolled reaction in a process that cannot be shut down
Building Evacuations/Rally points
  • Adhere to the evacuation plan and any additional department-specific procedures
  • Become familiar with your building’s designated evacuation assembly area, which is a pre-determined location outside and away from the building where everyone can meet during an evacuation. Find your building’s assembly area on the building evacuation page.
  • Communicate the evacuation plan and location of the designated evacuation assembly area to new personnel
  • Discuss fire safety and emergency evacuation at least two or three times per year