The University of Washington strives to provide a safe and healthy environment for work and learning. The guidance and links below are provided for responding to emergency and emerging situations that may occur at a University location.
INCIDENT RESPONSE
Call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Click on a topic below for information on how to get help when an event occurs that disrupts normal operations.
Active shooter
UW Police provides the Active Threat/Shooter Guide that includes safety tips and actions for preparing for and responding to an active threat situation.
Demonstration/Protest
Contact your campus security for assistance if a demonstration becomes violent. On the Seattle campus, contact UW Police.
Exposure to hazardous materials
Follow the steps in the Exposure Response Poster if there was an exposure to hazardous materials (e.g., chemicals, biological agents, infectious materials, radiological materials).
Facility issue
Contact your facility manager if there is an elevator failure, or issues with heating or cooling, power shutoff, gas smell, or plumbing leak (flooding). Contact UW Facilities on the Seattle campus.
Fire
1. Pull the fire alarm and call 9-1-1.
2. Evacuate the building and go to the evacuation assembly point.
3. Report all fires.
Hazardous air
Check the UW Alert blog when the outdoor air quality is unhealthy due to wildfire smoke or other factors. Take the required precautions if you are working outdoors during a wildfire smoke event.
Hazardous material spill or release
If you witness a spill that endangers people or could lead to a fire, pull the nearest fire alarm and call 9-1-1.
Follow the instructions on the Exposure Response Poster if an exposure to hazardous materials has occurred.
Heat
Take required precautions when working outdoors in heat at or above an action temperature.
Inclement weather
In the event of snow, ice, high winds or other weather-related event, campus leadership will assess conditions and decide whether to suspend, delay, or modify operations.
Medical emergency
Call 9-1-1 if a medical emergency occurs.
Click the button below to locate the nearest automated external defibrillator (AED) in King County.
Power outage
Visit the UW Alert Blog, tune to KOMO 1000 AM, or call UW 206-547-INFO to get information about the situation.
Relationship violence
If you (or someone else) are experiencing hazing, stalking, sexual assault, or threats, SafeCampus can provide support.
Suspicious mail or package
Report any suspicious packages immediately to police.
Don't touch or move it. Evacuate the area.
Contact UW Police on the Seattle campus.
REPORT INCIDENTS
UW personnel are required to submit an incident report to Environmental Health & Safety for any work-related event that results in an injury, illness, exposure to hazardous materials, or fire, regardless of the work location. UW personnel are highly encouraged to submit reports of work-related near-miss events.
Visit the Incident Reporting page for more information.
Areas with hazardous materials
View the UW Emergency Procedures Flipchart for Areas with Hazardous Materials.
CONTACTS
SEATTLE CAMPUS
UW Police
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-Emergency: 206-685-8973 (UWPD) or report online
Non-emergency email: uwpolice@uw.edu
Address: 3939 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105
UW BOTHELL
Campus Safety
Police/Fire/Medical emergency : Dial 9-1-1
Bothell Police Non-Emergency: 425-486-1254
Campus Safety Office: 425-352-5359
UW TACOMA
Campus Safety & Security
Emergencies: Call 9-1-1 or Text to 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 253-692-4416 or uwtsafe@uw.edu
Office: Dougan 180
Campus facility contacts
Medical facility contacts
- UWMC Operations & Maintenance: Call 206.598.4911
- UWMC Safety: Call 206.598.4639
- HMC Engineering: Call 206.744.3191
- HMC Safety: Call 206.744.7244
Planning for emergencies
Visit the Safety Planning page for information and resources to plan and prepare for emergencies.