Emergency Management

Whether on campus, at an off-campus residence, or visiting a new area, it is important to know what you will do should an emergency occur. Advanced preparation could save your life.

Plan for emergencies today, before they occur. Know how you’ll contact your friends and family and reconnect if separated. Establish a meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find. As you prepare, tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets or specific needs like the operation of medical equipment.

When communications are available, always contact your loved ones to let them know you are safe. This reduces the calls necessary by TCU and local responders so that they can respond to those who still need assistance.

Create a personal emergency plan using our TCU Emergency Plan form.

Create a personal emergency plan: https://www.ready.gov/plan-form

When on campus remember the acronym, LESS is More to be prepared for emergencies.

When disasters strike, you may be required to care for yourself for up to 72 hours before essential services are available. This means you should be equipped with enough food, water and other supplies to sustain yourself until help arrives.

TCU Emergency Supply Checklist

Checklist for emergency supply kit: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/90354

It is recommended to keep an emergency supply kit at home and in your vehicle in order to respond on-the-go. These kits should be checked and restocked annually to ensure batteries and perishable items are still useable.

Basic Emergency Supply Kit

Water– one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food– at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
Flashlight
First aid kit
Extra batteries
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Manual can opener for food
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Consider adding the following items based on your individual needs

Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Prescription medications

Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives

Glasses and contact lens solution

Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream

Pet food and extra water for your pet

Cash or traveler’s checks

Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container

Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person

Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes

Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper to disinfect water

Fire extinguisher

Matches in a waterproof container

Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items

Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils

Paper and pencil

TCU and other emergency partners use various resources to ensure you are notified of emergencies on the TCU campus, in the Fort Worth community and outside of the local area. It is important that you take the time to understand the messages you may receive from each of these alert systems, and what you need to do to receive these services.

On Campus

The University utilizes the TCU Alert System, a mass communication program that includes phone, text and email communication, as well as indoor/outdoor loudspeakers and emergency lighting on campus to notify the Horned Frog community of an emergency or weather-related closure/delay.

Off Campus

The City of Fort Worth has a notification system which you can subscribe to in order to receive alerts and information for around the city. You choose the information you want, from urgent public safety alerts to community information and receive information by text or email.

Outdoor Warning Sirens

The City of Fort Worth’s Office of Emergency Management manages the local outdoor warning system, which is designed to notify citizens to proceed to indoor shelter and seek further information on current hazards by tuning into local news outlets. The system is tested each Wednesday at 1pm, as weather conditions permit.

Sirens will be activated for:

Other emergencies as appropriate

A tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service

Tornado or funnel cloud reported by a reliable source

Sustained winds in excess of 70 mph

Reports of hail larger than 1.5 inches in diameter

Chemical spill emergency

State or national emergency declared by the governor or president

For more information on disaster preparedness and local hazard please visit the North Central Texas regional preparedness website: https://knowhat2do.com/