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Emergency Procedures

Return to the Basic Emergency Procedures home page

Preparedness Basics

What every employee should know

Evacuation Procedures

When you must quickly leave the building or fire zone

Lockdown Procedures

​​Temporary security measures to stay safe inside

Shelter-in-Place (SIP) Procedures

When it is safer to stay inside during a storm or HAZMAT

Active Shooter

Run, Hide, Fight

Workplace Violence Prevention

Warning signs and what you can do

Bomb Threat

Procedures to remember and a checklist to print

Earthquake

What to do when the ground shakes

Fire

What to do when you see a fire or hear the alarm

Hazardous Materials Spill or Release

Follow your lab’s emergency response procedures

Maintenance Emergency (Power Failure, Flooding, Gas Leak)

For all maintenance or facility-related emergencies​

Severe Weather (Tornado or Thunderstorm)

Be ready to act quickly if a weather warning is issued​

Closures and Dismissals

Check the current OPM Operating Status​

Guidance for Individuals with Disabilities

Make a plan with your supervisor

Additional Resources

Learn More

Closures Dismissals

​How you should respond to Operating Status Changes are affected by Emergency Tier Designations, wor​kplace flexibilities agreements, and whether you work in the Washington, DC area. Visit the OHR We​bsite for how operating status changes affect each Tier Designation.

Check the current Operating Status based on location using the links below.

Inside the Washington, DC Area

NIH Locations Outside of the ​Washington, DC Area

Click here fo​r closure and dismissal guidance for NIH locations outside of the Washington, DC area.​