Resources for Emergency Response Preparedness

The impact of last week’s tragic murder of Dr. Tom Meixner is still resonating throughout the University of Arizona. When the University community experiences such a senseless loss, it affects us all.

I take comfort in the fact that the University’s response has been swift. If you missed President Robbins’ email regarding the comprehensive review of campus safety that is underway, you can read it online.

I urge you to become familiar with the resources provided by the University’s Critical Incident Response Team, including these guidelines for what to do in case of an emergency:

The quickest and easiest way to obtain professional help for any type of emergency, day or night, is to call 911. Dialing 911 from any University landline phone will directly connect you with the University of Arizona Police Department. If calling from a cell phone, you will get the local emergency telephone system. Identify the location as the University of Arizona and you will immediately be connected to UAPD.

When calling to report an emergency, stay calm, identify yourself, and carefully explain the problem and location to the dispatcher. Remain on the phone until the dispatcher tells you to hang up. If you cannot stay on the line, tell the dispatcher that you must leave and where you can be reached.

Additional emergency procedure information and situation-specific guidelines can be found on the Critical Incident Response Team’s website.

Please check the Campus Tragedy webpage for updates and additional counseling resources. And remember, we are all in this together.

Michael D. Dake, MD
Senior Vice President for University of Arizona Health Sciences