The start of a new academic year is a good time for students and employees to familiarize themselves with UNMC’s campus-safety resources and procedures. Whether you’re a new arrival or a longtime med center denizen, take a few minutes to check out UNMC’s quick rundown of available services.
Please feel free to also check out the main Public Safety website. Public safety tips and training are listed on the UNMC intranet. For detailed tips of what to do if you encounter a suspicious package or suspicious person, please read this previous UNMC Today article.
"Blue light" phones are found throughout the Omaha campus. (Check out this map.) These emergency phones have a direct line to public safety dispatch, and a push button gives your exact location.
Additionally, the UNMC Omaha campus public safety number for an immediate threat is 402-559-5555. You also can call 911.
The Omaha campus public safety number for non-emergencies is 402-559-5111.
Public safety at non-Omaha campuses
Lincoln: 402-472-3550 for University of Nebraska-Lincoln Campus Police, or call 911 in emergencies.
Kearney: 308-865-8517 for University of Nebraska at Kearney public safety, or off-hours 308-237-2104 for Kearney police; 911 in emergencies.
Scottsbluff: Call 1449 or page 140/141 for Regional West Security. Call Scottsbluff police at 308-630-6261 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. or 308-632-7176 after business hours; 911 in emergencies.
Norfolk: The college contracts with a private security firm to provide general campus security. Security officers work closely with local law enforcement agencies in coordinating campus security. They conduct foot and vehicular patrols of the campus 24/7. Contact Campus Security at 402-841-5163 (or 7777 from any Norfolk campus phone).
The "report a concern" button on the UNMC public safety site links to the UNMC Report of Safety Concern form. This site provides an option for users to report non-emergencies anonymously – but it is not to be used for anything requiring an immediate response.
Click here to learn how to sign up for UNMC’s emergency notification alert system.
People who are working late can move their car into any lot after 5 p.m. Escorts to parking spots or to the edge of campus are available by calling the non-emergency number. Public safety also offers a motorist assist program for such problems as locked cars or dead batteries.
UNMC’s public safety department includes university-employed law enforcement officers and security officers. Security officers wear gray shirts and black pants and drive white security vehicles. Law enforcement officers wear black shirts and black pants and drive black cruisers.
Charlotte Evans, chief of police and associate vice chancellor for the UNMC Department of Public Safety, stressed the importance of using ID badges to enter buildings and of — politely — insisting that others do so as well. If someone accidently lets a person in without an ID badge and later realized they shouldn’t have, please let public safety know.
Evans also asks that people know their surroundings and trust their instincts. "Trust your gut feelings," she said. "If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to let someone know."
John Hauser, UNMC safety manager, echoed that sentiment and added a few real-world tips:
"Familiarize yourself with the areas you frequent," he said. "Locate the exits — not just the ones you routinely use to get into a building — and the fire alarm pull stations. Look for the emergency equipment: AEDs, Stop the Bleed kits and fire extinguishers."
Please lock all vehicles and leave valuables out of sight, Hauser said.
Public safety’s Office of Emergency Management is available for assessments of workspaces, emergency plans and trainings for emergency scenarios.