SUNY Oswego home page

Emergency Preparedness

The information contained in this website is meant to be a quick reference guide regarding emergency and hazard responses at SUNY Oswego. These web pages in no way replace the detailed and thorough information that is provided in the full Emergency Response Plan. Please notify University Police immediately at 315-312-5555 in an emergency. 

All of our responses to emergency situations calls for the use of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). 

Dial 911 to connect with:

  • New York State Police
  • Oswego City Police
  • Oswego County Sheriff's Department
  • Oswego Fire Department
  • University Police: 315-312-5555
  • Campus ambulance (SAVAC): 315-312-4003
  • Counseling Services: 315-312-4416
  • Health Services: 315-312-4100
Emergency Response Plan (PDF) Responding to Violent Incidents Responding to Other Emergencies

Safety alerts

The college will provide the campus community with timely notice in the form of Safety Alerts of any situation that may pose a threat to the community in a manner that does not divulge the identity of the person(s) who reported the incident.  Safety Alerts may come in the form of:

  • campus e-mails 
  • messages from the college's Office of Communications and Marketing
  • notices via the campus media such as Campus Update or the Oswegonian.

Timely Warnings and Safety Alerts will be disseminated in a coordinated manner through collaboration between University Police, Student Affairs, Office of Communications and Marketing and the college administration.

It is important that each students, faculty, and staff sign up to receive safety alert messages through New York Alert. The NY Alert system is tested weekly to publishers and each semester to all enrolled users. By enrolling, the college will be able to provide email, text, cell and hard line phone alert notifications when an emergency occurs that may impact the safety of the campus. In addition to this system, the college uses digital TV stations, the Office of Communications and Marketing and various other siren and broadcast systems to notify the community when an emergency is occurring.

Disaster Protocol

Residence Hall Directors

Upon hearing about an emergency situation on campus, report to the Residence Life and Housing Office. As quickly as possible, attempt to contact a Residence Life and Housing administrator via cell phone or landline. Upon making contact, report to the agreed upon location and await further instructions. If you do not know who is the on-call administrator, call University Police at 315-312-5555.

Resident Assistants

Upon hearing about an emergency situation on campus, report back to your residence hall office and wait to be contacted. If it is not possible to enter your residence hall, report to the nearest safe residence hall office and wait for instructions.

Staff General Instructions

Staff members will communicate the nature of the incident to students, while keeping them calm and safe. Provide students with clear instructions on what to do. Communicate to Residence Life and Housing administrators the needs of the residents and any other critical information, so we can mobilize the necessary resources for the situation. Write down names and cell phone numbers of students who are in the emergency shelter location.

Building Evacuations

All building evacuations will occur when a fire alarm sounds and/or upon notification by University Police, a building coordinator or other authorized personnel. When the building evacuation alarm is activated during an emergency, leave by the nearest safe, marked exit and alert others to do the same. Assist the disabled in exiting the building.

Do not use elevators in cases of fire!

Once outside, proceed to a clear area that is at least 300 feet from the affected building. Keep streets, fire lanes, hydrant areas and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and personnel. Do not return to an evacuated building unless told to do so by a university official. University Police or other emergency response personnel must be notified of missing persons so that a search can be conducted. Preplan a designated meeting place.

Evacuating People with Disabilities

If the situation is life threatening, call University Police at 315-312-5555. Evacuating a disabled or injured person yourself is the last resort. Consider your options and the risks of injuring yourself and others in an evacuation attempt. Do not make an emergency situation worse.

Evacuation is difficult and uncomfortable for both the rescuers and the people being assisted. Some people have conditions that can be aggravated or triggered if they are moved incorrectly. Remember that environmental conditions, including smoke, debris, or loss of electricity, could complicate evacuation efforts.

Always ask someone with a disability how you can help before attempting any rescue technique or giving assistance. Ask how they can best be assisted or moved, and whether there are any special considerations or items that need to come with them.

Do not evacuate disabled people in their wheelchairs. This is standard practice to ensure the safety of disabled people and volunteers. Wheelchairs will be evacuated later if possible. When possible, use a stair chair specifically designed for emergency rescue operations.

Campus Closures

  • Campus Closing: Only the Governor has the authority to close a state agency such as SUNY Oswego. Unless the governor closes the college, employees who choose not to come to work or to leave work early are required to charge their time. The only exception is for instructional faculty when classes have been canceled.
  • State of Emergency Declarations: Cities and counties in Central New York may declare a state of emergency to qualify for state or federal aid. They may also declare states of emergency that require the public to cease normal activities, such as parking on city streets or possibly even driving on streets and highways. It’s important for commuters to determine if a “state of emergency” is prohibiting their travel or not.
  • Emergency Information: If there is a disaster or emergency affecting the SUNY Oswego community, you will be able to obtain updates and important instructions through our homepage and New York Alert, assuming the situation has not damaged the college’s ability to update these resources. 

University Police

Pathfinder Hall 
SUNY Oswego 
Oswego, NY 13126 

GPS coordinates:
43.450660, -76.547837

Contact Us

Phone: 315-312-5555

Email: [email protected]

Emergency Numbers

Campus ambulance: 315-312-5555
Emergency: 911
Oswego City Police: 911
Oswego County Sheriff's Department: 911