Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

In Case of Emergency

Miami Dade College provides emergency mass notification capabilities to students, family, faculty and staff combines all of its emergency notification methods into a single system concept called MDC ALERTS. Regardless of which notification methods are utilized, to the recipient, all emergency notification and warning messages come from MDC ALERTS.

Most emergency incidents on campus are going to be identified by students, faculty, staff or visitors. If students, faculty, staff, or visitors are involved in or witness a life-threatening emergency, it is essential for them to immediately call 911 and the appropriate Campus Public Safety Department. This notification is the first step in the activation of College Procedure 1590 and the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.

To report an emergency

  • Emergency telephones with direct access to the Campus Public Safety Department are located throughout the campus and in all elevators.
  • Emergency assistance may also be requested by dialing 911 or the number to the appropriate Campus Public Safety Department listed on the right.

MDC ALERTS - Campus Siren and Public Address

Miami Dade College is in the middle of a major metropolitan area and International city. There are times on campus when you may be faced with emergency situations. If those occur, the college will use new campus siren and public address abilities to make emergency announcements and provide instructions for you to follow.

The most common emergency announcement is used for a fire emergency or a fire drill.

There are others that may be used for major emergencies, such as:

  • Evacuation
  • Dangerous Situation
  • Hazardous Condition
  • Weather Emergency

If there is a major emergency, a warning siren will sound. This siren, is different from the fire alarm, and means you need to take action.

After the siren sounds, there will be an announcement that explains what you should do.

  1. Stop what you are doing
  2. Listen to the announcement
  3. Follow the instructions, for your own safety

If there is a major emergency that requires an EVACUATION on campus, the following message will broadcast:

“Attention, attention, attention, an emergency has been reported. All occupants walk to the nearest stairway exit and walk down to your assigned re-entry floor or main lobby. Do not use the elevator. Walk to the nearest stairway, do not use the elevator. Walk to the nearest stairway.”

Exit the buildings and follow instructions provided by the Public Safety Officers who will be directing traffic away from the building to a safe location.


If there is a DANGEROUS SITUATION on campus, the following message will broadcast:

“Attention, attention please, a dangerous situation has been confirmed on campus. The appropriate personnel are responding. Seek shelter immediately in a secure location, and await further instruction.”

Please stay where you are. We call this, “Secure Sheltering-in-Place”. Lock the door, or block the door to create a barricade so no one can enter, and await further instructions from Public Safety.


If there is some type of HAZARDOUS CONDITION where it is not safe, the following message will broadcast:

“Attention, attention please, a hazardous condition has been confirmed on campus. The appropriate personnel are responding. Seek shelter immediately in a safe location in the nearest building away from doors and windows, and await further instruction.”

Stay where you are and await further instructions from Public Safety.


If there is a WEATHER EMERGENCY, the following message will broadcast:

“Attention, attention please, a weather emergency has been reported in the area. Seek shelter immediately in a safe location in the nearest building away from doors and windows and await further instructions until you return outdoors.”


When the emergency has ended, Public safety will provide further instructions by communicating live messages over the Public Address System, or they will use the standard ALL CLEAR Message.

“Attention, your attention please, the building emergency condition has been cleared. You may return to your normal work activities. The building emergency condition has been cleared. You may return to your normal work activities.”

Your safety is our number one priority. If you hear the alarm, then that means to take action. Listen to the announcements, find a safe location, and await further instructions, and remember, we are here to help.