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Responding to Other Emergencies

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

Fire Emergencies

In an emergency, immediately notify University Police at 315-312-5555 or dial 911. Remain calm, do not panic. Every building has a designated meeting point and alternative meeting point.

  • Know locations of fire extinguishers, exits and alarm systems and how to use them. Do not attempt to fight a fire unless trained to do so. Training and information are available through Environmental Health and Safety, 315-312-3150.
  • If an emergency exists, pull the building's nearest red fire alarm pull box.
  • An evacuation alarm means an emergency exists. Walk quickly to the nearest exit and alert others to do the same. Notify others on your way out of the building without delaying your own exit.
  • Immediately evacuate all rooms and close doors behind you.
  • Do not use elevators!
  • If possible, assist any person with a disability in exiting the building. 
  • Smoke is the greatest danger in a fire, so stay near the floor where the air is less toxic.
  • If you become trapped in a building during a fire and a window is available, place an article of clothing (shirt, coat, etc.) outside the window as a marker for rescue crews. If there is no window, stay near the floor where the air is less toxic.
  • Shout at regular intervals to alert emergency crews of your location.
  • Use your cell phone to identify your location to emergency responders.
  • Once outside, move to a clear area at least 300 feet away from the affected building. Keep streets, fire lanes, hydrants and walkways clear.
  • A Campus Emergency Command Post may be set up near the emergency site. Keep clear of the Command Post unless you have official business.
  • Do not return to an evacuated building unless told to do so by a university official.

Utility Emergencies

For all utility emergencies, notify Facilities Services at 315-312-3200 and University Police at 315-312-5555. 

Gas Leak

  • Cease all operations immediately and evacuate the area as soon as possible, notifying others as you leave. 
  • Do not switch lights on or off. Do not take time to open windows or close doors. 
  • Do not re-enter the building until cleared to do so by University Police or other proper authorities.

Trapped in an Elevator

  • If you are trapped in an elevator, contact University Police at 315-312-5555 via cell phone, the emergency phone in the elevator or push the alarm button. 
  • Remain calm and wait for help to arrive.
  • If you discover trapped people, talk to them and try to keep them calm until an officer or other help arrives.

Power Outage

  • If evacuation is required, use stairways to exit the building. Do not use elevators. 
  • Seek out persons needing assistance. 
  • When mechanical ventilation is interrupted, vapors of chemicals may reach hazardous concentration levels. 
  • Laboratory personnel should secure experiments or activities that may present a danger when the electrical power is off or when it is restored unexpectedly. Close sashes on fume hoods and clean up or put away chemicals. Notify the lab supervisor immediately. Do not perform procedures using hazardous materials until power is restored.

Water Line Failure or Flooding

  • Notify University Police at 315-312-5555. Advise them of the severity and location of the problem. Indicate if any people or objects are in imminent danger. 
  • Use extreme caution if any electrical appliances/outlets are near the water. Stop using all electrical equipment. 
  • If the source of the water is known and you are confident you can stop it safely, (i.e. unclog the drain, turn off the water), do so cautiously. 
  • Assist with protecting objects from water damage by removing them from the area. 
  • If directed to evacuate, follow evacuation safety precautions.

Hazardous Materials Spills

If a hazardous material spill occurs, it is necessary to take prompt and appropriate action. Report the spill to Environmental Health and Safety at 315-312-3150 and to your supervisor. When reporting a spill, provide the following information:

  • Personal injuries, if any
  • Location of the spill (building and room number)
  • Name of material(s) involved (spell clearly and slowly)
  • The amount of material spilled
  • Immediate actions taken
  • How spill occurred (if known or suspected)
  • Who first noticed spill and at what time
  • Call-back number(s)

Major Spill Procedures

  • Notify others in your area that a spill has occurred.
  • Call 911 to report the spill.
  • Evacuate the room, floor or building as necessary. Do not hesitate to pull the fire alarm if necessary to evacuate the building.
  • For flammable materials, turn off all ignition sources.
  • Close doors to the area where the spill occurred.
  • Limit access to the area.
  • Stand by the area outside the building until help arrives, a minimum of 300 feet away.

Minor Spill Procedures

  • Notify others in the area that a spill has occurred.
  • Prevent others from coming in contact with the spilled chemical(s).
  • Wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) such as goggles, gloves, etc. before cleanup.
  • Try to prevent spilled chemicals from entering waterways by building a dike around the access points (sink, cup sinks, floor and outside storm drains). Spread absorbent material on and around the spill to absorb the chemical(s).
  • Sweep up the absorbed spill from the outside toward the middle. Scoop up and deposit in a leak-proof container. Label and dispose of the container through the hazardous waste management program.
  • Wash the contaminated surface with soapy water.

Fluorescent Light Fixtures

  • Caution! Light fixtures manufactured prior to 1980 may have ballasts that contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or mercury.
  • Isolate the leak or spill area to prevent people from coming in contact with the spilled material.
  • Contact Facilities Services at 315-312-3200 for cleanup by trained campus personnel.

Other Emergencies

Critical Information Loss (Cyber Crime)

SUNY Oswego relies on our campus servers and technology to maintain normal operations. Intentional theft of secure information is a crime in NY state. New York State policy and SUNY System Administration requires that all campuses report information regarding security incidents in a timely formal manner. Contact University Police at 315-312-5555 if you become aware of any of the following:

  • Unauthorized information access
  • Infections by malicious code
  • Denials of service
  • Recon scans and probes

UPD will file a police report and work with  Campus Technology Services to investigate the incident thoroughly.

Epidemic Emergencies

In the event of any pandemic influenza outbreak or contagion, the college will implement the Pandemic Flu Plan. This plan limits social interactions and discontinues all functions, except those most essential to the institution. Various alert levels have been established that determine what actions to take. Incident Command Structure will be used to manage an epidemic outbreak of any contagious illness. Alerts will be shared with the campus community via email, web and media outlets.

Nuclear Emergency Evacuation

If the University receives notice from the Oswego County Office of Emergency Preparedness about a possible nuclear accident or a natural disaster, University Police will immediately contact administrators and the public affairs team. Announcements will be sent out via the NY Alert system, local media, and email. Clear and specific instructions will indicate whether to follow shelter in place or evacuation procedures. It is critical to remain calm and follow the instructions as provided.

Suspicious Objects

A suspicious looking box, package, object, or container in or near your work area could be a bomb or explosive material. Do not open it! 

  • Do not handle or touch the object. 
  • Move to a safe area and call University Police. 
  • Do not operate any power switch, and do not activate the fire alarm. Alert others in the area about the suspicious package or envelope. 
  • If possible, shut off the ventilation system.

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