MIT Preparedness
MIT is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students, faculty and staff, and regularly assesses its facilities and operations to ensure that these meet the highest standards of safety and security.
- Protocols for rapid, effective communication within the Institute community are in place, using MIT's campus-wide emergency notification program (MIT Alert), the emergency website, emergency phone lines (617-253-SNOW), fire alarms and other communications channels. During an emergency, the emergency website and phone line (617-253-SNOW) are regularly updated to provide status reports and advisories.
- During major campus emergencies, the director of the Emergency Management Office will activate the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), bringing together representatives from key MIT operations to manage the response and communications for the duration of the emergency.
- We are in regular, direct contact with law enforcement, intelligence, security, civic and emergency management agencies at the local, state and federal levels.
Police
The MIT Police Department, a professional deputized police force, provides
community-wide security, including a system of directed patrols to monitor
critical areas. The MIT Police response plans are calibrated to meet a
wide range of potential threat levels.
Medical
MIT Medical has protocols for handling emergencies, staff available 24
hours a day, and formal ties with Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston
and Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge.
Evacuation procedures
Emergency evacuation plans in the residences are regularly tested and up-to-date.
Professional house managers work closely with housemasters, resident tutors,
and residential life associates to ensure coordinated planning for critical
incidents, including plans for “sheltering-in-place.” Staffing levels
are increased when the national Homeland Security threat level rises.
Facilities
The Department of Facilities has enhanced building security through restricted
vehicle access, controlled delivery points, and automated locks and monitors
for key buildings and rooms.
In partnership with the Environment, Health and Safety Office, faculty and research staff regularly review the safety and security of laboratory operations and assess potential hazards.
Mail is evaluated for suspicious packages, and deliveries to campus are
subject to intensified screening.
If you have questions about security or emergency measures, please call the Security and Emergency Management Office at 617-258-7366 or email mit-emergency@mit.edu.
