A fire alarm blares. Phones buzz with emergency alerts. In those first critical moments, knowing how to respond can make all the difference for students at John Carroll University, where safety protocols are designed to guide the campus community through a range of emergencies.
According to JCUPD Chief Jeffery Daberko, resources and emergency procedures are readily available to students through the university’s website. In the case of an active shooter, he emphasized that multiple law enforcement agencies would respond immediately. “Emergency communications would be sent out, which might include instructions like shelter in place (stay where you are) or avoid certain areas… depending on the situation,” Daberko said.
While such incidents are unlikely, Daberko stressed the importance of preparedness. “The best option is always to evacuate/get away from the situation if at all possible,” he said. “If that is not possible, taking shelter wherever it can be found is usually second best.” He added that the department offers active-shooter response training sessions for campus groups, helping students better understand how to respond under pressure.
Safety procedures also extend to more common emergencies, particularly in residence halls, where many campus events and gatherings take place. Kyle Wolfe, director of Residence Life, said fire alarms require immediate and orderly evacuation. “When a fire alarm is activated, all residents should leave their rooms and evacuate the building in a safe and orderly manner,” Wolfe said. He noted that both JCUPD and the University Heights Fire Department are dispatched to every alarm and assess the situation before allowing students to return. “All residents should remain outside of the building until they are notified… it is safe to return,” he said.
Severe weather is another concern, particularly during large campus events. In the event of a tornado warning, Wolfe said students should move quickly to the lowest level of their building. “All residents are asked to move to the basements or lowest level of the building and remain in that location until the tornado warning has expired,” he said. Any resulting damage is then reported to campus facilities for immediate attention.
For more serious threats, such as a reported active shooter, Wolfe emphasized coordination with campus police. “We would follow all emergency notifications and instructions sent out by JCUPD,” he said, reinforcing the importance of paying attention to university alerts.
As campus activity continues throughout the year, officials say the responsibility for safety is shared. By staying informed, responding quickly to alerts and following established procedures, students can help create a safer environment— whether attending a major event or simply going about their daily routines.
