Programs & Services

The Department of Emergency Management (DEM) oversees several emergency preparedness initiatives at the University:

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDsDEM maintains the AEDs and AED cabinets that are located in buildings across campus. See the AEDs page for more information.

Emergency Plans DEM coordinates the development of emergency plans on campus. See the Emergency Plans page for more information.

Fire Panel Annunciation - DEM has worked to install in five buildings thus far, an annunciation capability that can be set off by the Public Safety Emergency Communications Center (PSECC) in case of an emergency. The annunciation system allows the fire alert system to communicate the source of the emergency, which will allow for a quicker and more efficient response. The panels in use at the University also help control emergency communications systems where they are installed.

Grants - DEM continues to pursue grant opportunities for planning, training, exercises and equipment for Public Safety as a whole.

Outdoor warning sirens - Hennepin and Ramsey counties have outdoor warning sirens located on or near campus. The sirens, which are typically activated during severe weather situations, are tested at 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month. The University of Minnesota has an outdoor warning system called the Campus Wide Emergency Alert System that transmits verbal warnings and instructions in an emergency.

Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation - DEM notifies the Officer of the Day and University leadership of incidents on the Twin Cities campus and responds accordingly. DEM provides text and written reports and writes After Action Reports (AARs) when warranted. DEM monitors severe weather and follows the inclement weather process.

Preparing for tomorrow’s emergencies and disasters means anticipating the risks, threats, and crises of the future. Emerging infectious diseases, new natural hazards resulting from changes in the climate, hazardous materials, and new political movements that use violence as a tool are threats which require Emergency Management to be an ever changing, ever ready discipline. DEM has adopted an All-Hazards philosophy to be ready for the challenges and risks of the future. This All-Hazards approach implies a state of continuous improvement, of evaluation, evolution, and advancement. DEM is committed to being a national leader in proactive planning, preparation, and partnerships to prevent, respond to, and recover from All-Hazards emergencies and disasters. DEM works to ensure that University departments have the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to meet the challenges posed by natural and human caused emergencies and disasters.

Tone Alert Radios (TARs) – The University uses Tone Alert Radios strategically placed throughout campus to add another layer of alert coverage The University of Minnesota Public Safety Emergency Communications Center (PSECC) will activate the radios when there is urgent information that needs to be transmitted (e.g. severe weather, building evacuation.). They also provide emergency notification that can received in areas that are out of cellular service.

SAFE-U - SAFE-U is a program that has been a part of emergency communications at the University. It initially started in 2007 and improved in 2017. It is the emergency notification text, email and phone messaging system and is one of several ways the University system provides emergency information to faculty, staff, and students system-wide. DEM is the point of contact regarding SAFE-U, the University's emergency text notification system. For more information or to register, see the SAFE-U page.