Emergency Procedures

The College Administration regards your continued safety as one of its highest priorities. In the event you need to speak with someone in the Campus Safety Office, it is located on the Ground level of Somerset Hall, Room S-010, near the Welcome Center. The College has an Emergency Management Plan, and regularly coordinates emergency activities with local law enforcement and other emergency responders.

To report an on-campus emergency, requiring immediate attention, call 908-231-8800; for an off-campus emergency, call 911.

Phone: 908-231-8800
Confidential TIPS hotline: 908-231-8806 (Call to report suspicious people, behavior or packages, someone in distress or threats of violence. All calls are confidential. You do not need to give your name.)

Campus Security
Campus Security
Campus Security

In Case of Emergency – Follow These Procedures

Fire or Smoke in a Building

In the event of an activation of the fire alarm system all persons on campus will be notified by the sound of a fire alarm horn, flashing strobe lights, and the following message will be broadcast over the fire alarm speaker devices, “EMERGENCY ALERT! FIRE ALARM, EVACUATE THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY.” Fire doors throughout the campus will automatically close. Some areas of the campus have a water suppression system that may activate in an effort to contain or extinguish a fire. In the event of a fire alarm activation, take the following actions:

  • Remain calm – Exit the building using the most direct route
    • DO NOT use elevators.
    • DO NOT evacuate to or assemble in the center courtyards, or within 250 feet of any structure.
    • Close, but do not lock, windows and doors.
  • Follow instructions of College Evacuation Marshals and Campus Security Officers and proceed to the nearest assembly point.
  • Warn others to evacuate, and if possible, help others requiring assistance.
  • IF UNABLE to Evacuate or for Person(s) with Disabilities, DO Not use Elevators. Move away from danger, move to a place of safety or move to the nearest stairwell (which are designated areas of refuge), seek shelter on the stairwell landing. Contact Campus Safety at 908-231-8800 and provide your location (building, floor, room number or stairwell location).
    • IF UNABLE to contact Campus Safety call 9-1-1.
  • Once assembled at an evacuation assembly area, await further instructions
    • DO NOT re-enter any buildings unless instructed to do so by Campus Security Officers or College Evacuation Marshals.
  • Keep roads and fire lanes clear for emergency responders


If You Discover a Fire

  • Remain calm.
  • DO NOT attempt to put the fire out, unless trained to do so.
  • Move to a safe location.
  • Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station by pulling down the handle. If equipped, lift the plastic cover, then pull down the handle.
  • Contact Campus Safety at 908-231-8800, or by picking up a Red Emergency Phone located in building hallways, or activating an Emergency Call Box located in campus parking lots.
    • Specify the area, location and size of the fire.
  • Warn others to evacuate, and if possible, assist others.
  • Evacuate the area. Move to a place of safety.


Evacuation Assembly Areas

Arts Building• Athletic Field
Bateman Student Center• Athletic Field
Childcare Center• Parking Lot 4 (Follow Internal Procedures)
College Center• Athletic Field
• Parking Lot 1
Conference Center• Parking lot 1
Hunterdon Hall• Athletic Field
Interior Design & Theater Lab• Athletic Field
Physical Education Building• Athletic Field
• Parking Lot 2
Planetarium & East Building• Parking Lot 9
Science Building• Athletic Field
• Parking Lot 2
Somerset Hall• Parking Lot 1
Theater & Library• Parking Lot 2
West Building• Parking Lot 2 Lower Tier
Workforce Training Center• Faculty Lot Top Tier
• Parking Lot 3

Threatening Person on Campus

If you see anyone on campus carrying a firearm or other weapon immediately call Campus Safety at 908-231-8800

  • Move to a safe area away from the threat
  • If unable to move away from the threat, stay in your classroom/office and secure the area by locking doors, closing blinds and staying away from windows
  • If needed, barricade the doors with desks and chairs
  • If you are walking in the hallways or between buildings, enter the nearest open classroom or office and secure the area
  • Do not confront anyone with a weapon
  • An RVCC Alert may be broadcast by phone, text or email message
  • Wait for further instructions, or the “All Clear” to be communicated by the Campus Safety Department or the Police


Weather/Environmental Emergency

  • Check your phone for emergency texts or calls.
  • Stay in your classroom/office until the situation can be assessed
  • If outside, proceed into the closest building and take shelter inside an interior room, stay away from windows, vents and overhead objects
  • After the condition subsides, further instructions may be communicated through, the RVCC Alert System


Power Outage

  • Emergency lights may activate
  • Follow the instructions of Campus Safety Officers and College Evacuation Marshals
  • Stay in your classroom/office until the situation is assessed
  • Do not use elevators
  • A determination to close the campus will be made
  • An RVCC Alert may be broadcast by phone, text or email message. " to those signed up for emergency notification service” REMOVE


Campus Closings & Delayed Openings

In the event of inclement weather, check to see if the College is open or has a delayed opening.

  • An RVCC Alert will be sent by phone or text to students, faculty and staff
  • An alert with be posted as an alert on the College website

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