September is National Preparedness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies before they happen. On a campus as vibrant and diverse as ours, spanning historic residence halls, high-tech research labs, and massive venues like Notre Dame Stadium, being prepared looks a little different depending on where you are standing.
To help demystify campus preparedness, we sat down with Michelle Woolverton, Program Manager for Emergency Management, to break down what Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) actually are, how they work behind the scenes, and what every student, faculty, and staff member can do today to stay safe.
1. When we talk about an Emergency Action Plan (EAP), what actually is it, and who on campus needs to know about it?
Michelle Woolverton: An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is a building-specific guide that outlines what to do during different types of emergencies. It provides important information such as evacuation procedures, shelter locations, emergency contacts, and other building-specific guidance.
While building coordinators, faculty, and staff have specific responsibilities within the plan, everyone who works, learns, or spends time in the building should be familiar with the basic emergency procedures.
2. Most students, faculty, and staff think of emergency plans as just "knowing where the fire exit is." What other types of campus situations do EAPs actually cover?
Emergency Action Plans cover much more than fires. They include procedures for:
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Severe weather
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Hazardous materials incidents
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Medical emergencies
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Active violence
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Utility outages
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Other situations where knowing what to do can help keep people safe
They also identify designated meeting locations after an evacuation so departments can account for employees, and they outline key personnel who may have critical responsibilities during certain emergencies.
3. In an active emergency, chaos and adrenaline hit instantly. How does having a written, rehearsed plan change the way a person mentally reacts in a high-stress moment?
In an emergency, it's easy to panic or not know what to do. Having a plan that you've reviewed or practiced helps take some of the guesswork out of the situation. Instead of reacting out of fear, you're more likely to stay focused and take the right actions quickly.
4. Campus has everything from historic 100-year-old residence halls to high-tech research labs and massive venues like Notre Dame Stadium. How do EAPs adapt to such different physical spaces?
While the overall emergency management principles stay the same, every building has its own unique considerations. A research laboratory may have hazardous materials and specialized shutdown procedures, while a residence hall focuses more on resident accountability and evacuation. Large venues like Notre Dame Stadium require extensive planning for crowd management, emergency communications, and coordination with multiple agencies.
Every Emergency Action Plan is developed specifically for the building it serves through collaboration between the building's Emergency Action Plan Coordinator, Emergency Management, and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS).
5. If a student is sitting in a 200-person lecture hall or hanging out in their dorm section when an alert goes off, what are the first three things they should do?
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Read the entire emergency notification carefully so you understand what is happening and what protective action is being recommended.
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Follow the instructions immediately. Depending on the incident, that may mean evacuating the building, sheltering in place, or avoiding a specific area of campus.
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Remain aware of updates through official University communication channels, such as ND Safe, emergency text messages, email, or the University's emergency website. Situations can change quickly, and updated information is important.
6. Faculty and staff are often the default leaders in classroom or office settings. What is their specific role when executing a building’s EAP during an incident?
Faculty and staff play an important leadership role during emergencies. They help communicate emergency instructions, encourage calm behavior, assist individuals who may need additional support, and help guide occupants during evacuations or sheltering situations.
While first responders manage the emergency itself, faculty and staff help ensure that building occupants respond appropriately until emergency personnel arrive.
7. Tools like the ND Safe app and mass messaging alerts are central to Notre Dame’s safety setup. How do digital alerts tie directly into local, building-level EAPs?
Emergency notifications provide information about what is happening and what protective action should be taken. Building Emergency Action Plans provide the specific procedures for carrying out those actions within that particular building. Together, they help ensure that people receive timely information while also understanding exactly how to respond based on where they are.
8. How often are building EAPs reviewed or updated behind the scenes, and what kind of real-world feedback shapes those updates?
Emergency Action Plans are reviewed on a consistent basis to catch any updates that may be needed. Each building has an appointed Emergency Action Plan Coordinator who is responsible for updating the plan if personnel change or if anything changes within the building. Because they're familiar with the day-to-day operations of that space, they're in the best position to keep the information accurate.
Once updates are made, the plan is reviewed by Emergency Management and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) before it's published to the website for reference.
9. What is the single biggest misconception students or staff have about emergency preparedness on campus?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that emergency preparedness is solely the responsibility of Police, Fire, or Emergency Management. In reality, preparedness is everyone's responsibility. Knowing your building's emergency procedures, staying informed, and being prepared to act can make a significant difference during an emergency.
10. If a student only remembers one single action from this story to make themselves safer today, what should it be?
Take a few minutes to become familiar with the building you're in. Know at least two ways out, identify where you would go during severe weather, and make sure you have emergency notifications enabled. Those simple steps can make a big difference if an emergency occurs.
Take Action This Month
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Download the ND Safe App: Ensure your notifications are turned on to receive real-time campus safety alerts.
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Locate Your Exits: Next time you step into a classroom, lab, or office, spot your two nearest exits and nearest storm shelter area. View your building’s EAP.
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Learn More: Visit the Police and Emergency Management website to learn more about building safety procedures and campus resources.
Originally published by at police.nd.edu on September 01, 2026.