Emergencies and Resources

Emergency Procedures

The safety and well-being of our residents is our paramount concern. To this end we want to stress some steps for students to take (also consult Penn Public Safety and our own policies page for more information):

1. Program your phone:

  • The emergency number for fire, police, MERT/ambulance is 215-573-3333.
     
  • The number for the CAPS line is 215-898-7021.  This includes after-hour emergencies.
     
  • The number for facilities emergencies (not routine repairs, etc, but floods and similar magnitude issues) is 215-898-7208.
     
  • The number for advice on student health matters after hours is 215-746-3535 (press prompt for "emergency")
     
  • The number for a walking escort is 215-898-WALK (9255) 
     
  • A 24-7 number for members of the Penn community who are seeking time sensitive help in navigating Penn's resources for health and wellness is 215-898-HELP (4357)

2. Get to know your GA or RA.  There are one or two staff members on your floor, and they will be holding information sessions shortly after move-in and occasional meet-ups throughout the year. Attend! And seek them out if you have not met them or interacted with them for awhile. Our staff are a terrific resource with both emergencies and more long-term issues, and are eager to help.

3. Remember that there is always a GA or RA on call all night on weekdays and 24/7 on weekends. You can have the info desk (215-898-5232, or head down to your lobby) page them. 

4. Register with UPennAlert for campus emergency updates. 

5. Familiarize yourself with Special Services, who assist students who have been the victim of sensitive crimes including rape, sexual assault, relationship and domestic violence, harassment and stalking.

5. Familiarize yourself with our emergency exits. In the case of fire/alarm, grab your PennCard and exit the building through the NEAREST exit; don’t take extra time to head to the main entrance/exit. Take all fire alarm practice drills and shelter-in-place drills seriously.  Fires do happen. Don’t assume it is a drill or a false alarm.

6. Do not disable or cover your smoke detector. The university is very serious about life safety systems. Learn more about the policy and possible fines at the Tampering with Life Safety systems website. 

7. Familiarize yourself with Penn's alcohol policy-- especially regarding medical amnesty in case of emergency! Do not hesitate to call for help for yourself or another student.

8. Be cautious with your privacy settings on social media such as facebook and do not share your private information (including location, phone number) with a wide circle of aquaintances. See some additional cyber security pointers.