Emergency Preparedness

Safety and Emergency Preparedness at the University of Montana

Campus Safety is Everyone's Business 

The University of Montana is dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone on our campuses. The University of Montana has its own full-service police department.  UM police officers cannot be everywhere, so we depend on our community members to be our eyes and ears. It is vital that you trust your instincts and report anything that does not seem right. You do not have to believe that a crime has been committed to call the police.  If something seems suspicious, out of place, or just odd, you should call.  A UM police officer will gladly check it out.  See how to report suspicious activity below.

University Police                                                             

NON-emergency                 EMERGENCY
406-243-6131                     406-243-4000 OR 911

How to Report Suspicious Activity 

How to Report Suspicious Activity

Emergency Preparedness means being ready.

 EAP LOGO

It takes all of us to create and sustain an effective emergency preparedness system. In an emergency it is essential to have a response plan.  First responders will be coming to help, but you are an immediate responder. What you do matters! Immediate responders are those who are present when the emergency occurs and they can make a difference. In case of an emergency, the most important advice we have is this:

  • Stay calm
  • Know your emergency action plan
  • Assess the situation
  • Decide which response protocol is appropriate for your safety
  • Help others as necessary while maintaining your own safety
  • Obtain as much information as possible without compromising your own safety
  • Provide information and guidance to first responders
  • Stay alert and flexible in your response

Utilizing a planned and practiced response to any incident is the foundation of a safe campus.  The University of Montana utilizes the I Love You Guys Foundations, all hazards repose protocol.  This Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is action based, flexible, and easy to learn and use.  It organizes tactics for responding to any hazard the campus may encounter and helps to ensure everyone is on the same page.  This includes weather events, fires, accidents, and any other threat to personal safety. The (SRP) utilizes (5) standard responses:

  • HOLD (New)
  • SECURE (formerly LOCKOUT)
  • LOCKDOWN
  • EVACUATE   
  • SHELTER 

For more information on these standard response protocols use the following links:

Response Enhancements

Emergency situations can change quickly.  It is important to know your response enhancements.  Stay flexible in your response and keep in mind that events unfold rapidly.  What you do matters!  No matter which response protocol you are prompted to use, be prepared in incorporate  supplemental response enhancements as necessary: (SEE ALSO IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO AN ACTIVE SHOOTER EVENT)

 ALERRT Logo AVOID, DENY, DEFEND

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.

DENY when getting away is difficult or maybe 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.
  • Remain out of sight and quiet by hiding behind large objects and silence your phone.

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.
  • DEFENSE AGAINST TWEETED VIOLENCE & PROTECTION FROM DANGEROUS SITUATIONS, IS ABOUT SURVIVAL.

AID yourself and others when safe to do so

  • Control bleeding with direct pressure or tourniquet application.
  • Pack wounds when necessary.
  • Use AED's as appropriate.
  • Treat for shock

The University has a complete Emergency Operations Plan that covers in detail how we respond to human-caused emergencies and natural disasters.

If you are interested in taking a more active role in developing and implementing an emergency plan for your area, please contact chuck.emnett@mso.umt.edu with the subject line: Emergency Operations Officer.

Communication Tools & Functional Annex Information

Emergencies may range from inclement weather to a chemical spill or a reported shooting or fire. UM has a variety of tools to communicate with the public during emergencies. Depending on the type of emergency, we may use some or all of the tools available to communicate with faculty, staff and students.  In addition to these communications tools, the university's emergency response plan provides guidance in responding to different emergencies by way of functional annexes.  These annexes provide instruction on procedures to be taken during natural and manmade disasters.

University of Montana Functional Annexes