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19 February 2024 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo SUPPLIED
UFS Emergency protocol
The University of the Free State prioritises student and staff safety, as encapsulated in its comprehensive Emergency Protocol guide.

The University of the Free State (UFS) recognises the importance of equipping its students and staff with the necessary support to handle a spectrum of emergencies in today's rapidly changing world. The comprehensive UFS Emergency Protocol guide offers valuable insights, from general information to specific rules, for use during crises and when crimes occur. 

The guide ensures that individuals are informed about emergency contacts, communicable diseases, and safety measures on and off campus. The protocol creates a framework for how to respond during times of crisis and includes guidelines for navigating robberies, shootouts, attacks, protests, cyber threats, evacuations, and other emergencies.

Users will find various contact numbers for divisions to contact within UFS Protection Services depending on the nature of your emergency.

Prioritising your safety

Jacobus Van Jaarsveld, Deputy Director at Protection Services, emphasised the university's commitment to the well-being of its community. "Your safety and security are important to us, and we are working hard to create a safe work and study environment with your assistance – as safety starts with you," he said. To achieve this, the UFS has compiled tips and resources within the guide to minimise risk across its three campuses.

Van Jaarsveld said fostering awareness of emergency protocols is crucial, as it helps UFS community members make informed decisions, utilise resources effectively, and it helps prevent fatalities and injuries. The guide contributes to enhancing the overall preparedness of both staff and students for potential emergencies. Equipped with the ability to make informed choices, individuals can significantly accelerate the recovery process after an emergency.

“The main reason for creating awareness of any crisis or emergency is to do as much as possible to keep staff and students safe in case of a disaster,” added Thato Block, Deputy Director at UFS Facilities Planning. “The confusion during an emergency or a crisis can make a bad situation worse and put lives at risk. If a crisis or emergency is mismanaged or neglected, it can lead to a disaster.” 

Remain calm

The UFS Emergency Protocol underscores a primary guideline in the face of any crisis: remaining calm. Individuals facing an emergency are advised to keep breathing deeply, evaluate the situation, and discern potential threats. The protocol encourages prompt calls to designated emergency numbers, raising alarms if necessary, and attentive listening to instructions from crisis managers and relevant authorities. Ultimately, adhering to safety protocols by moving to secure locations ensures a comprehensive and effective response to emergencies.

Emergency contact list

  • Bloemfontein Campus Protection Services 24/7 Duty Room: +27 51 401 2911 or +27 51 401 2634
  • South Campus Protection Services 24/7 Duty Room: +27 51 505 1217 
  • Qwaqwa Campus Protection Services 24/7 Duty Room: +27 58 718 5460 or +27 51 718 5175

Download the Emergency Protocol: 

Click here to read more on the following:
  • Three important rules during any crisis
  • Four important rules during any crime
  • Emergency contact list
  • Other communicable diseases
  • Medical emergency
  • Mental health emergency
  • On-campus safety
  • Off-campus safety
  • Assault in areas besides your home
  • Gender-based violence and sexual assault
  • Situational awareness: personal safety
  • Safety when travelling
  • Kidnapping and human trafficking
  • Robbery, shootout, or attack
  • Protests and labour unrest 
  • Safety in the workplace
  • Evacuation
  • Fire
  • Flooding
  • Infestation
  • Water cuts
  • Hazardous material and lab safety
  • Hostage situation
  • Bomb threat
  • Explosion
  • Road traffic accident
  • Earthquake or structural collapse
  • Cyber safety
  • Alternative contact numbers for Protection Services

In addition, QR codes linked to the booklet will be installed by the University Estates inside buildings and residences across all three campuses.

WATCH: Safety first: UFS Emergency Protocol

Student and staff safety are highlighted in this video related to security matters at the University of the Free State. The university is dedicated to creating a safe environment for all. 

News Archive

Staff members do their bit for the environment
2012-05-28

 

Big blue boxes for the recycling of waste paper were placed in the foyer of the Francois Retief Building and staff and students were invited to bring their waste paper. Seventeen boxes of white paper and eight boxes of newspapers and magazines were collected.

In order to be involved in the green initiatives on campus, the Faculty of Health Sciences has been supporting the university recycling project. Last week, waste paper for recycling was collected in the foyer of the Francois Retief Building.

At the request of staff members, the faculty will repeat this initiative every term. “We thus urge you to collect all your waste paper for recycling – this can be full pages, scrap paper, or shredded paper. However, please keep white paper (normal photocopy and printing paper) separate from newspapers, magazines, coloured paper and cardboard. And please, no food!

“If you can’t wait until next term, the caretakers can also collect paper from your department – their contact details are listed below. What an easy way to tidy up your office!” said Marlene Viljoen from the faculty.

Empty ink cartridges can also be recycled If you have any, you can send them to the caretakers’ office or you can keep them with you until next term’s collection day in the foyer.

Staff will be notified via e-mail of the next collection day. “Thank you for your enthusiastic response,” Marlene said.

Contact the caretakers on 405 5953/ 3015, short cell number 6998, at any time to collect waste paper or ink cartridges in your department.
- Ilde Kilbourn
 

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