Emergencies can occur at any time for a variety of reasons. Be prepared to respond independently, particularly if working after hours.
If your life is being threatened, or if someone is seriously ill or injured, or if you just witnessed a serious incident dial triple zero (000) for emergency services (fire/ambulance/police).
We're available 24 hours a day to assist in an emergency or if you're feeling unsafe on campus.
Our Protective Services officers are certified to perform first aid and their vehicles are equipped with automated external defibrillators (AED).
A number of emergency help points are located across the Camperdown/Darlington campus and can be found on our maps under 'Amenities'. These help points provide a direct link to Protective Services.
You can also reach Protective Services on 1800 SYD HLP (1800 793 457).
In some situations, you may be required to evacuate. All University staff, students and visitors are required to respond to emergency alarms and follow instructions.
Where possible and safe to do so, you will be notified of an emergency lockdown via building announcements or other mechanisms including verbally by Protective Services.
A lockdown controls the movement and access, both entry and exit, of people (staff, students and visitors) around a site or other specific building/area in response to an identified significant risk, threat or hazard that might impact upon the security and safety of staff, students or visitors.
It is achieved through a combination of physical security measures, the deployment of security personnel and individuals taking defensive actions.
It is important that you follow directions from a warden, Protective Services and/or Emergency Services, remain calm and say inside the building.
Dependent on the circumstances you may be asked to stay away from exposed windows, move to a secured area inside the building or follow other specific instructions.
Note: Secure mode is not a lockdown. Secure more removes the ability for people to enter certain buildings without the use of their security passes.
In the event of a threat or attack with a weapon:
Leave the immediate area, if safe to do so.
If it is not safe to leave, hide and silence your phone and other devices
If you need to hide, consider locking or barricading yourself and others in a secure area and constantly re-assess your options to escape or hide in a better location. As a last resort, consider options to defend yourself if you are located by the offender.
When safe, advise the police of your situation by dialing triple zero (000).
For more detailed information refer to the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee - Active Armed Offender Guidelines for Crowded Places.
If a person is seriously ill or injured don't hesitate to call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
AEDs are easy to use. They guide users with step-by-step instructions using visual and voice prompts. Our AEDs will verbally request the responder to press the flashing shock button. AEDs won’t deliver a shock unless a shockable heart rhythm is detected.
An AED should be applied as soon as possible. CPR should be administered while the AED is being retrieved.
AEDs are safe to use – just don't touch the patient during shock delivery, as instructed by the voice prompt.
To find your closest AED, select the relevant campus and 'defibrillators' under 'Amenities' on the campus map.
Hazardous materials include chemicals, biological materials and radioactive substances in all forms. Staff and students working with hazardous materials are required to plan for emergencies including the need to stop work quickly and respond to spills or an uncontrolled release. Refer to the relevant Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for specific hazard information.
Many of the University's buildings are serviced by natural gas. This natural gas can be detected by odour.
Natural gas will quickly dissipate in naturally ventilated areas and poses a limited risk of fire or explosion. Despite this, avoid the use of mobile phones (which can be a potential ignition source) in the immediate area.
Bomb threats are usually received via a telephone call. If you receive a bomb threat:
The incidence of violence on the University's campuses is generally lower than that experienced in the general community.
Watch a video on responding to personal threats.
Do not challenge anyone acting aggressively and avoid situations where you may be isolated from assistance.
If someone responds aggressively to the standard challenge, withdraw from the situation and call Protective Services(02 9351 3333).
University staff in charge of classes are required to help facilitate a safe and efficient response to emergency situations.
Familiarise yourself with the University’s standard emergency response procedures and the emergency exits, safe exit paths and assembly areas for various teaching spaces. In the event of an alarm activation:
Until further notice due to COVID-19, encourage students to maintain physical distancing while assembling. If you need to spread out, stay nearby (within eyesight of the building). The local emergency warden, a protective services officer or the emergency services will indicate when it is safe to re-enter the building.
Familiarise yourself with the University's basic emergency procedures to stay safe on campus.
We have a number of counselling services available, if you have witnessed or been involved in a critical incident on or off-campus:
If you need to report an incident of sexual harassment or assault, or make a complaint about misconduct, call our confidential helpline, 1800 SYD HLP (1800 793 457).
We also have other support and reporting mechanisms available for victims of sexual assault.
