Emergency Guidelines - Meridian Campus

Click Here to visit the Starkville Campus Emergency webpage.

Maroon Alerts for the Meridian Campus

Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to verify they are registered for Meridian Maroon Alerts. Visit the Personal information section of MSU Banner to check your settings:

  • Log into: my.msstate.edu with your MSU NetID and Password.
  • Open the menu and click/tap Banner link and then open the Personal Information tab.
  • Click “Update your Maroon Alert Information”.
  • Verify that your number is correct and that you are registered for Meridian Maroon Alerts.

If you receive a Maroon Alert or have concerns about your safety:

  • Inform others around you about the threat.
  • Get to a safe place.
  • Call 911 and report the problem, if appropriate.
  • Wait in a safe place for help to arrive or for the threat to end.

Building Evacuation Guidelines

  1. Try to remain with your class/group as you evacuate.
  2. Avoid using elevators, if possible.
  3. Proceed to an outside meeting area, at least 500’ from the building(s).
  4. Once at the meeting area:
    1. Determine if everyone made it out safely
    2. Report any important details (missing students, causes, injuries) to University Police
    3. Stay clear of emergency vehicles
  5. Everyone should stay in the meeting area until instructed by authorities.
  6. Do not activate a fire alarm unless there is a fire.

Severe Weather / Tornado

The university continuously monitors weather conditions. Stay informed about current conditions:

  • Tornado Watch – A watch means that conditions are favorable for tornados to develop. Monitor conditions and be ready to take action.
  • Tornado Warning – A warning means that a tornado has been identified by radar or by spotters. Immediate action is necessary.

If a Tornado Warning is issued:

  • Follow your building’s severe weather / tornado response plan.
  • Move to a room with few or small windows and on the lowest level.
  • Assist others, as needed.
  • Laboratories should be secured. Turn off gas burners and other equipment that could cause additional hazards.
  • Do not attempt to drive during dangerous conditions. Move to a safe building and follow the instructions above.

Smoke or Fire

The mnemonic RACE may help you remember what to do during a fire:

  • R – Rescue & Remove anyone from immediate danger from a fire. Try to keep groups/classes together.
  • A – Alarm. Activate the nearest fire alarm and call 911 with important information.
  • C – Contain. Help contain the spread of the fire by closing doors in the area. Always feel of a door for heat before opening.
  • E – Extinguish. You may be able to extinguish small fires (about the size of an office trash can). Do not waste evacuation time or put yourself in danger by trying to extinguish a fire. Evacuate for all fires & fire alarms.

Once you are a safe distance from the building, reunite with your group to make sure everyone is safe. Do not attempt to reenter a building.

To operate a fire extinguisher, remember PASS:

  • P – Pull the pin
  • A – Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire
  • S – Squeeze the handle
  • S – Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire

Suspicious Devices or substances (gas leaks, bomb threats, drones)

If you find a suspicious device or substance:

  • Clear the area and call 911 from a safe distance.
  • Do not use phone or radios near the area
  • Follow instructions from police for possible evacuations
  • If you see a drone / UAS flying over campus, please call University Police. If it lands, do not approach or try to capture it.

If a bomb threat is phoned in:

  • Obtain as much information as possible from the caller. Use the Bomb Threat Information Checklist to help you.
  • Try to signal someone to call 911 while you continue taking notes.
  • Relay important information to University Police. This may include background noises, voice tone, specific wording, etc.

Learn more about Bomb Threat Awareness from CISA. 

Violence and Active Threats

Potentially Violent or Dangerous Situations

  • Leave the area and get to safety.
  • Call 911 and describe the incident and those involved.
  • Do not put yourself in harm’s way to break up and argument. 

Hostage Situations

  • Contact the police, if possible
  • Avoid actions that could result in further harm of you or others
  • Don’t speak unless spoken to
  • Position yourself away from windows & doors
  • Remain calm and make mental notes of the suspects

Active Threats

An Active Threat may be someone with a gun, knife, car, or other weapon. The person is indiscriminately attacking targets or opportunity. Mississippi State University recommends remembering Avoid, Deny, Defend to help your response.

  • Avoid – Get away from the threat.
  • Deny – If you cannot escape, lock or block yourself into a room. Turn off lights and your cellphone ringer
  • Defend – If you are unable to Avoid or Deny, you may need to defend yourself from an attacker. Coordinate with others and use any objects around you as weapons.