Emergency Preparedness and Response 

In the event of a campus emergency, updates will be provided by email and/or text through the St. Mary’s University Campus Alerts (RAVE Alerts) system. Information may also be conveyed through other means, such as the Emergency Updates link that is added to the top of the University website’s homepage in times of emergency, as well as campus email and social media channels. 

St. Mary’s University has an Emergency Response Plan to address and manage critical incidents affecting our community. This plan focuses on prevention, response and recovery. To ensure preparedness, components of this process are tested annually through emergency exercises.

If you are interested in learning more or scheduling emergency preparedness training for your department, please contact the University Police Department at stmaryspolice@stmarytx.edu. 

University Police Department

Emergency Contact Information 

  • Dial 1911 from any campus phone to report an emergency. 
    From non-campus or mobile phones, call 210-431-1911. 

When dialing 911 from a cell phone, your call will be directed to the local emergency dispatch center. To connect directly with the University Public Department in an emergency, 210-431-1911 in your contacts. 

St. Mary’s faculty, staff and students are automatically registered to receive RAVE Alerts by email. To receive alerts by SMS as well, please check that you have supplied your cell phone. Employees are automatically enrolled to receive email notifications from RAVE, but must login and sign up for SMS notifications. By signing up for RAVE, you help us improve the effectiveness of our communications for emergency matters. 

StMU Alerts (RAVE)

Additionally, downloading the RAVE Guardian app on your cell phone provides access to alerts. This resource is for the St. Mary’s community.

Policies and Procedures

We advise all members of St. Mary’s community to familiarise themselves with our policies and procedures.

Make a Plan

Emergencies can happen when we least expect them. Having a plan can help you stay calm and be prepared. Making a plan now can make a big difference later. The St. Mary’s Police Department offers emergency training sessions to help you make a plan. This opportunity is open to the
St. Mary’s community.

Sign up for Training

The Run Hide Fight® video is provided with permissions and acknowledgement to the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security.

In Case of an Active Shooter

  • If you see something, say something.

    Report suspicious activity to the University Police Department.

    Call 210-431-1911 or 1911 from any campus phone when you are safe to do so.

1.Evacuate (Run) If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises: •Have an escape route and a plan in mind. •Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow. •Leave your belongings behind. •Help others escape, if possible. •Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter/active assailant may be. •Keep your hands visible. •Follow the instructions of any police officer who may arrive on the scene. •Do not attempt to move wounded people. •Call 210-431-1911 or 911 when you are safe. 2.Hide Out (Hide) If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide: •Be inconspicuous. •Hide in an area out of the active shooter/active assailant’s view. •Provide physical protection if shots are fired in your direction (e.g., hiding in a bathroom, staying as close to the floor as possible). •Lock the door and blockade it with heavy furniture. •Silence cell phones and/or pagers and remain quiet and motionless. •Hide behind large items (e.g., cabinets, desks). •Dial 210-431-1911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter/active assailant’s location. •Leave the line open if you cannot speak, and allow the 1911 dispatcher to listen. 3.Take Action (Fight) Take action against the active shooter/active assailant only when you believe your life is in imminent danger. Attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter/active assailant as follows: •Take aggressive action against the assailant. •Throw items and improvise weapons (e.g., fire extinguisher). •Yell and otherwise distract the assailant. •Commit yourself to defensive physical actions. •Take responsibility for your own safety. When the police arrive •Remain calm and follow officers’ instructions. •Put down any items in your hands (e.g., bags, jackets). •Immediately raise your hands and spread your fingers. •Keep your hands visible at all times. •Avoid making quick movements toward officers, such as attempting to hold on to them for safety. •Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling. •Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating. Proceed to the area to which they direct you. •Notify University representatives that you have evacuated the premises. Information to provide 911 operators •Number of shooters/assailants •Type and number of weapons the shooter/active assailant has •Provide keys to all involved areas as well as floor plans. •Locations and phone numbers in the affected area. •Assist law enforcement with providing safe locations for those evacuated from the scene.
Download Guide

If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises.

  • Have an escape route and a plan in mind.
  • Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow.
  • Leave your belongings behind.
  • Help others escape, if possible.
  • Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter/active assailant may be.
  • Keep your hands visible.
  • Follow the instructions of any police officer who may arrive on the scene.
  • Do not attempt to move wounded people.
  • Call 210-431-1911 or 911 when you are safe.
1. Evacuate (Run)

If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide.

  • Be inconspicuous.
  • Hide in an area out of the active shooter/active assailant’s view.
  • Provide physical protection if shots are fired in your direction (e.g., hiding in a bathroom, staying as close to the floor as possible).
  • Lock the door and blockade it with heavy furniture.
  • Silence cell phones and/or pagers and remain quiet and motionless.
  • Hide behind large items (e.g., cabinets, desks).
  • Dial 210-431-1911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter/active assailant’s location.
  • Leave the line open if you cannot speak, and allow the 1911 dispatcher to listen.
2. Hide Out (Hide)

Take action against the active shooter/active assailant only when you believe your life is in imminent danger. Attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter/active assailant as follows.

  • Take aggressive action against the assailant.
  • Throw items and improvise weapons (e.g., fire extinguisher).
  • Yell and otherwise distract the assailant.
  • Commit yourself to defensive physical actions.
  • Take responsibility for your own safety.
3. Take Action (Fight)
  • Remain calm and follow officers’ instructions.
  • Put down any items in your hands (e.g., bags, jackets).
  • Immediately raise your hands and spread your fingers.
  • Keep your hands visible at all times.
  • Avoid making quick movements toward officers, such as attempting to hold on to them for safety.
  • Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling.
  • Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating. Proceed to the area to which they direct you.
  • Notify University representatives that you have evacuated the premises.
When the police arrive
  • Number of shooters/assailants
  • Type and number of weapons the shooter/active assailant has
  • Provide keys to all involved areas as well as floor plans.
  • Locations and phone numbers in the affected area.
  • Assist law enforcement with providing safe locations for those evacuated from the scene.
Information to provide 911 operators

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