When an emergency strikes, knowing how to respond can save lives.
Following the incident on Aug. 21, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Brent Goldberg commended the UTC Department of Public Safety and its law enforcement partners for their swift actions.
“The response you witnessed was a collaborative effort by law enforcement and other first responders,” Goldberg said in a letter to the campus. “We should all take great pride in the swift and professional actions of the UTC Police Department, working in close collaboration with our local, state, and federal partners. I commend the dedication and bravery of all law enforcement and Public Safety personnel who acted quickly and decisively—willing to put themselves in harm’s way to protect our community.”
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What To Do In Case Of An Emergency PDF
Emergency Response Quick Reference Guide PDF
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Goldberg said UTC has conducted several debriefing sessions to evaluate the response and identify opportunities for continued improvement. He also shared several essential reminders and resources available to the campus community.
UTC-ALERT
Goldberg stressed the importance of registering for UTC-ALERT.
“If you are not signed up to receive emergency alerts, please do so now,” he said. “We are aware that some people experienced issues receiving alerts on Aug. 21, and we are working to correct any issues in our control. Despite factors such as cell phone carrier, tower capacity and Wi-Fi availability, we are committed to providing the most reliable system possible.”
UTC students are automatically enrolled in the UTC-ALERT system and can confirm their registration status on the UTC-ALERT webpage.
Parents and families can also be added to the emergency alert system through UTC-ALERT.
UTC Public Information Officer Brett Fuchs said that UTC-ALERT messages should be taken seriously.
“Emergency alerts, especially those sent via our text alert system, are only issued when necessary,” he said.
The Department of Public Safety and the Department of Information Technology are in the process of implementing a new emergency alert system that will enhance reliability, timeliness and integration with other systems. Additional information will be shared with the campus soon.
Community safety training
UTC Public Safety offers Community Safety Training throughout the year to educate and prepare members of the campus community on how to stay safe during emergencies.
- Visit the Community Safety Training webpage for more information.
- Request training for your department at utc.edu/dps-register or email dps@utc.edu.
Faculty and staff emergency response guides
The Faculty Emergency Response Guide, first distributed in 2023, is available in PDF format by clicking here. Updates will be distributed in the coming weeks.
- A concise, quick-response guide is being attached to classroom podiums for easy access and review.
- Classroom Emergency Response Posters are being installed near the doors of every classroom and office suite on campus.
Run. Hide. Fight.
UTC adopted the nationally recognized Run. Hide. Fight. protocol in 2023. Recommended by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, it is the standard protocol across the University of Tennessee System. Learn more on the UTC Active Shooter Guidelines webpage.
For FBI resources:
Everyday preparedness
The Emergency Response Quick Reference Guide outlines steps to take in the event of fire, medical emergencies, severe weather, laboratory accidents, chemical incidents, bomb threats and armed intruder situations. Key reminders include:
- Always evacuate the building during a fire alarm and wait for clearance before re-entering.
- Call the UTC Police Department (423-425-4357) in an emergency, or dial 911.
- Seek shelter on lower floors and interior rooms during tornado warnings.
- Hide. Fight. if faced with an armed intruder.
- Plan ahead by reviewing exits, Blue Phones and evacuation routes in your building.
Moving forward
“Every day, we are committed to improving our efforts to ensure the safety of our campus community,” Goldberg said. “This commitment allows us to maintain a safe and welcoming environment, one that supports learning, research and the well-being of our students, employees and guests.”
For more information, visit the UTC Office of Emergency Management and Threat Assessment webpage.
