Campus-wide evacuation drills return this month

From Sept. 8 to 24, evacuation drills will take place in buildings across all University of Calgary campuses. While the drills are brief, they play an important role in helping students, postdocs, faculty, staff and visitors prepare for emergencies.

Most drills take about 15 minutes to complete. During a scheduled drill, building alarms will sound and occupants will be asked to leave the building and proceed to their designated assembly point.

What to expect

Every building has a scheduled drill. If you study, work or teach on campus, you may experience a temporary disruption to classes, meetings or other activities.

Before your building's drill, take a few minutes to review the evacuation schedule, your building's assembly point and the steps to follow when an alarm sounds. Being familiar with these procedures can help ensure everyone responds quickly and safely during both drills and real emergencies. The free, online UCalgary course Evacuation Essentials offers practical guidance for responding confidently in an emergency. Students living in residence can find additional information about their drills on the residence evacuation drills page.

Safety starts with preparation

Emergency situations can happen without warning. Practising how to leave a building safely helps build confidence and reduces confusion when every second counts.

The annual drills also help the university assess evacuation procedures, identify areas for improvement and ensure emergency plans remain effective across campus.

Know your role

Everyone on campus shares responsibility before, during and after the drills. 

When an alarm sounds, leave the building promptly using the nearest safe exit and remain outside until the all-clear has been given. Anyone with temporary or permanent disabilities is encouraged to participate in the Emergency Buddy Program and pair up with someone who can provide assistance during an evacuation.

Stay informed

UCalgary uses multiple communication channels to ensure emergency notifications can reach students, postdocs, faculty and staff. Ensure you have downloaded the UCSafety mobile app or signed up for SMS alerts. These tools provide real-time notifications and guidance during emergencies on campus on your cell phone.

Participating in evacuation drills and staying informed enhances UCalgary’s ability to respond effectively during emergencies and helps foster a strong culture of safety throughout the university community.