Health and Safety

Emergencies and business continuity

Find out what to do in an emergency and who to contact if you need help.

In an emergency

Call:

  • 3333 from an internal telephone
  • 01273 873333 from a mobile or external phone.

This is the fastest way to get support from a first aider or Security.

First aiders can call 999 as they have the information the emergency service call handler requires.

First Aiders should ensure Security are notified the emergency services have been called so Security can meet emergency services at the entrance to the campus and guide them directly to the relevant location otherwise, emergency vehicles can get lost on campus and this may delay their response.

First aid

Medical Response Team (MRT)

The MRT is a voluntary organisation which is run by employees of the University, who provide a first response service to a medical emergency.

During working hours all team members are in constant radio contact with Security, through whom all emergency 3333 calls are channelled. Once an ‘alarm call’ has been received by the MRT, they can be at the scene of an incident within the first two minutes.

Due to the location of the campus and the University being private roads it can sometimes be difficult for the Emergency Services to locate an emergency caller, so please ensure you instruct Security that a First Aider has called the Emergency Services so they can meet them at the agreed Rendevous Point and guide them to the incident. 

School and Divisional first aiders

There are staff across the University who are also first aiders.

Location of defibrillators

A number of defibrillators can be found on campus:

  • Bramber House- Eat Central (ground floor - kitchen entrance)
  • Freeman Building (entrance - ground floor)
  • JMS (Teaching lab 3B5 - Floor 3)
  • Jubilee (Atrium opposite reception - ground floor)
  • Library (Reception - ground floor)
  • Medical Research Building (Admin Office Room 1.05- 1st floor)
  • Shawcross (IT Service Desk Reception - ground floor)
  • Sports Centre (Reception - ground floor)
  • Sports Complex (Reception - ground floor)
  • MRT Vehicle (Call 3333)
  • Security Vehicle (Call 3333)

There are some additional machines which can be used but are not owned by the University:

  • CISC
  • Falmer Station
  • Friston Building (Reception)
  • BSMS Research Building (1st Floor stairwell)
Maintenance emergencies

For maintenance-related emergencies call the Service Centre: ext 7777 (01273 87 7777) - 24-hour line

Service Centre email: SEF.ServiceCentre@mitie.com

Locations of emergency phones

Emergency 2Emergency phones are also outside in the following places and are marked by big blue flashing lights at night.

Also see ED 006 Location of Campus Emergency Phones 

  • Arts A undercroft
  • Arts C
  • Bramber House
  • Brighthelm porters lodge
  • Campus main entrance
  • Chichester 1
  • East Slope
  • Falmer House main entrance
  • Falmer Sports Complex
  • Fulton teaching building
  • Friston
  • Hastings
  • JMS building entrance
  • JMS building opposite old ancillary building
  • Lewes Court
  • Lewes Court phase 2 block 3
  • Lewes Court phase 2 block 4
  • Mandela Hall
  • Northfield (blocks 2, 8, 12 and 15)
  • Park Village
  • Pavilion Road
  • Pevensey 1 undercroft
  • Shawcross
  • Sport Centre
  • Sussex House by Barclays Bank
  • Swanborough
  • Thermo Fluids
Fire

In the event of a fire calmly exit the building and report to your Fire Assembly Point

See Location of Fire Assembly Points [PDF].

Security should be automatically aware of any fire alarm activations. If they do not arrive within 5 minutes please call 01273 (87) 3333

Radiation

In the event of contamination follow the instructions in the Supervised Area local rules

Radiation Protection Officer Contact Number 07884054199

A list of Local Radiation Protection Supervisors can be found here

Biological

Instructions on actions to take in specific circumstances are posted in relevant laboratories.

For further information on creating emergency plans please contact

healthsafety@sussex.ac.uk

Details of Biological Safety Officers can be found below:

Francisco Moreta Van Ronzelen - f.m.v.r.van-ronzelen@sussex.ac.uk

Sharon Tighe - s.m.t.tighe@sussex.ac.uk

Hostile incident

While armed and terrorist incidents are thankfully rare, all staff and students should familiarise themselves on actions to take in the event of an attack.

RUN

  • Escape if you can
  • Consider the safest options
  • Is there a safe route? RUN if not HIDE
  • Can you get there without exposing yourself to greater danger?
  • Insist others leave with you
  • Leave belongings behind

 

HIDE

  • If you cannot RUN, HIDE
  • Find cover from gunfire
  • If you can see the attacker, they may be able to see you
  • Cover from view does not mean you are safe, bullets go through glass, brick, wood and metal
  • Find cover from gunfire e.g. substantial brickwork / heavy reinforced walls
  • Be aware of your exits
  • Try not to get trapped
  • Be quiet, silence your phone and turn off vibrate
  • Lock / barricade yourself in
  • Move away from the door

TELL

Call 999 - What do the police need to know? If you cannot speak or make a noise listen to the instructions given to you by the call taker

  • Location – Where are the suspects?
  • Direction – Where did you last see the suspects?
  • Descriptions – Describe the attacker, numbers, features, clothing, weapons etc.
  • Further information – Casualties, type of injury, building information, entrances, exits, hostages etc.
  • Stop other people entering the building if it is safe to do so

 

See UK Government "Stay Safe" advice.

Emergency management and business continuity

We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all students, staff, and visitors both on and off campus.

Serious emergency situations are thankfully rare but, when they do occur, well-rehearsed and validated emergency plans will help to ensure that the risk to life, property or the environment is minimised as far as possible.

There may be incidents which do not require an emergency response but which nonetheless cause disruption to the University’s business and its ability to provide a great student experience and world class research.

A business continuity programme exists to ensure that all schools and professional service divisions are able to identify their critical activities and put in place plans which allow these to continue during disruption.

The following policies and plans exist to provide a framework for the management of emergencies and disruptive incidents:

Staff resources

See how to develop your own plan in an emergency.

For more information, email incidents@sussex.ac.uk.