11 2026 ANNUAL SECURITY & FIRE SAFETY REPORT Targeted & Expanded Alerts Notifications are initially sent to community members in the immediate area of danger (such as a specific building or zone). LUPD continuously assesses the situation to expand emergency alerts to additional segments of the campus population as needed. Communication Systems & Distribution Methods Lehigh University maintains multiple redundant communication systems to broadcast both Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications rapidly across campus. Depending on the nature of the situation, the university may activate some or all of the following channels: • HawkWatch Alerts: Direct SMS text messages, push notifications via the HawkWatch app, emails, desktop alerts, and automated voicemails to registered accounts. • Outdoor Sirens: Campus-wide audible sirens indicating imminent physical danger and directing individuals to seek shelter immediately and consult university channels for updates. • Safety Bulletins: Direct SMS text messages, push notifications and emails via the HawkWatch app, providing detailed follow-up information, health advice, or safety guidance. • Web & Social Media: Emergency banners on the Lehigh home page and real-time updates posted to official university social media channels (such as Facebook). • Emergency Call Center: A dedicated call-in line staffed by trained university personnel to assist the community during major incidents when main campus phone lines are overwhelmed. Emergency Evacuation Protocols & System Testing Testing Emergency Response & Evacuation Procedures To ensure campus emergency plans remain current and effective, Lehigh regularly conducts announced and unannounced drills and exercises. • Documentation: Lehigh maintains official records for every test, detailing the date, time, description of the exercise, and whether it was announced or unannounced. • Annual Notification: At least once per calendar year, the university reminds the campus community of its emergency response procedures and notification systems. • Fire Safety Drills: Detailed information regarding residence hall fire drills and safety training is provided in the Annual Fire Safety Report section of this document. Full-Campus Evacuation Policy Lehigh University’s campus spans both sides of a mountain, bordered by the city of Bethlehem to the north and residential neighborhoods to the south. A full-campus evacuation is ordered by the Chief of Police, in consultation with the Crisis Management Team, and occurs only if all campus buildings are compromised or rendered uninhabitable due to a catastrophic event, such as a major earthquake, tornado, or widespread fire. Building-Level Evacuation Procedures For localized incidents—such as a fire alarm, gas leak, or chemical spill—building occupants must immediately follow standard evacuation procedures: • Treat Every Alarm as Real: Evacuation is mandatory whenever a fire alarm sounds. Follow all emergency protocols without exception. • Do Not Use Elevators: Always use stairwells to exit the building. • Contain the Hazard: Close doors and windows as you leave to help contain smoke, fire, or fumes. • Grab Essential Items: Take keys, cell phones, wallets, and weather-appropriate clothing with you. • Secure Materials: If time permits, quickly secure any hazardous chemicals, sensitive equipment, or confidential documents before exiting. • Proceed to Your Rally Point: Exit via the nearest emergency route and head directly to your building’s designated primary or secondary rally point. ♦ Location Rules: All rally sites are located at least 150 feet away from the building and must keep roadways and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and first responders. ♦ Finding Your Rally Site: If you do not know a building’s designated rally point, ask the Building Monitor, contact Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), or move at least 150 feet away from the structure, clear of emergency personnel. • Wait for the “All Clear”: Do not re-enter any evacuated building until explicitly authorized to do so by emergency personnel or drill supervisors. For additional building-specific safety information, visit Lehigh Facilities Emergency Evacuation Procedures.
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