Natural Hazards

Vanderbilt is committed to protecting our students, faculty, staff, and visitors from all types of hazards, both natural and man-made.

The Office of Emergency Management stresses the importance of local-hazard awareness. The hazards you encounter may depending on where you are in the world. Some hazards are more prevalent in specific areas, such as hurricanes around coastal regions or earthquakes near fault lines. Alternatively, some hazards are more widespread, such as severe thunderstorms, flooding, or snow. Being aware of the hazards in your area can help you plan and prepare before you experience an impact.

In the Nashville area, our most prevalent hazards include severe storms and fire. To learn more about preparedness for fire and the different types of severe weather, please see the sections below. There are other emergency situations that are not covered in these sections, please refer to the Emergency Guides for additional information. 


Fire

Fire Safety at Vanderbilt

Even with the extensive fire prevention measures in place on our campus, fires can still happen.  It is everyone's responsibility to make Vanderbilt as safe from the threat of fire as possible.  The information provided here will help you to recognize hazards that could result in a fire and enable you to respond properly in the event of an actual fire.

Fire statistics

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains information related to university-wide security and safety, including related policies, procedures and crime statistics. The report also describes fire safety systems, policies and procedures for on-campus student housing facilities and residence hall fire statistics.

2024 Fire Log

Living on campus

Students who live on campus must abide by the fire safety practices and regulations as provided in the Student Handbook.

Be prepared

  1. Learn the emergency evacuation routes for buildings that you frequent
  2. Be aware of fire safety equipment (fire extinguishers, pull stations, sprinkler heads, smoke detectors, etc.) and emergency exits
  3. Review the emergency guides for Emergency Evacuation, Fire Safety

When and how to use an extinguisher

When to use an extinguisher:

  • The fire is confined to a small area (small trashcan)
  • The fire is not growing in size
  • The fire alarm has been activated, prompting people to evacuate

To operate an extinguisher:

  • PULL the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you.
  • AIM the nozzle at the base of the fire.
  • SQUEEZE the handle.
  • SWEEP the nozzle from side-to-side slowly and evenly.

For more information on extinguishers, including what type you should select for your home, please visit the National Fire Protection Association website.

Fire Prevention

Vanderbilt is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is prohibited in all buildings on the Vanderbilt University campus. Smoking is also prohibited outside, with the exception of designated smoking locations.

Open flame candles are prohibited inside campus building.

According to NFPA’s latest “Fires in Dormitory-Type Properties” report, between 2017 – 2021, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 3,379 structure fires each year in dormitories, fraternity houses, sorority houses, and barracks. Fires in dormitory-type properties caused an annual average of 23 civilian injuries and $12 million in direct property damage during that period.

Approximately three out of four fires in these properties began in the kitchen or cooking area, accounting for 60 percent of the civilian injuries and 17 percent of the direct property damage. Cooking equipment was involved in nearly 9 out of 10 fires.

The following are tips and recommendations for cooking safely in dorms and off-campus housing:

  • Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen, even for a short time, turn off the stove or oven.
  • Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
  • Cook only when alert. Don’t cook if you are sleepy or have taken medicines or consumed alcohol that make you drowsy.
  • Set a timer for a reminder that you are cooking.
  • Keep anything that can catch fire (towels, potholders, etc.) away from the stovetop.
  • If a fire starts in the oven, turn it off and leave the door closed. Have the oven checked and/or serviced before using it again.
  • If you have a cooking fire, when in doubt, get out and call the fire department.

Special Events

If you or a university organization are planning to host an approved event on campus and you intend to use fire-related items such as lanterns or pyrotechnics, you must request approval at least 3 business days in advance. Please contact Jessamyn Davis for assistance.

If you would like to use a fire pit on campus, please submit for approval using the Fire Pit Regulations Form at least 3 business days prior to but no earlier than 30 days before the event date. Please note that submitting this form is not automatic approval.

Note: Additional information and a site visit from the Office of Emergency Management may be required prior to approval. The submission of the request form is not automatic approval.

Fire Drills and Training

The Office of Emergency Management within VU Public Safety, along with the Office of Housing and Residential Education, schedules and conducts fire drills for all campus residence halls. Click here for the designated Residence Hall Evacuation Rally Points.

Non-residential campus fire drills are conducted by the Office of Emergency Management upon request from building or department administrators. For assistance with conducting a fire drill, please email Jessamyn Davis.

The Office of Emergency Management provides annual fire safety training to select departments at the University. However, departmental training is conducted upon request, and will cover fire growth basics, response, extinguisher safety, evacuation, and more.

To schedule a fire safety training for your office or department, please email Jessamyn Davis.

Fire Safety Off Campus

Please consider the following fire safety guidelines when selecting your off-campus residence, and remember that fire safety is everyone’s responsibility. In an apartment, where many homes are clustered into a single building, what each resident does or doesn’t do can have a profound effect on the safety of all building occupants.

  • Know and practice the building’s evacuation plan, as well as alternate routes out of the building.
  • Test smoke alarms monthly in an apartment or a house. Ensure smoke alarms are installed in all sleeping areas, outside of all sleeping areas, and on every level of the apartment or house. Never remove or disable smoke alarms.
  • Keep combustible items away from heat sources and never overload electrical outlets, extension cords, or power strips. Many fires are caused by portable light and heat sources, like space heaters and halogen lamps.
  • Keep common areas and hallways free of possessions and debris. Never block exit routes.

Severe Weather

Severe weather, or dangerous weather with the potential to cause harm or damages, can take on various forms. In Nashville, we can see extreme temperatures, thunderstorms, tornadoes, flooding, and winter weather.

Extreme temperatures can be either hotter or colder than usual. Nashville can experience both sides of the spectrum. Ensuring you can identify the causes and signs of hyperthermia and hypothermia can help reduce the risks from exposure to extreme temperatures.

Thunderstorms can occur during any time of the year but are more prevalent March through June. Thunderstorms can cause wind, rain, lightning, and hail. Lightning is a giant spark of electricity between clouds, the air, or the ground. Being struck by lightning can be deadly and the best way to avoid being stuck is to be inside a building (not under a tent or awning) or a metal-topped vehicle. Hailstones (hail) form in a strong thunderstorm when raindrops, held in the atmosphere by strong winds, are frozen together until they become heavy enough to fall to the ground. Hail can cause damage and injuries when large enough. Thunderstorms become “severe” when they produce winds greater than 58 miles per hour, hail measuring one inch or greater, or a tornado. The best way to protect yourself in a thunderstorm is to seek shelter in a building. Read more about staying safe during thunderstorms at Ready.gov.


Tornado

Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air, extending from thunderstorms to the ground. Much like the thunderstorms that create them, tornadoes can happen any time of the year and are more likely to occur in the Spring and Fall months. Tornadoes can destroy buildings, uproot trees, and throw objects (like cars) through the air.

The best way to protect yourself in a tornado is to create a plan before you need to react. Know where you will receive Tornado Warnings: Wireless Emergency Alerts come from the National Weather Service and use your phone, NOAA Weather Radios can produce a tone to alert you, various mobile phone applications from local news or specific weather applications can send push notifications to your phone. Vanderbilt University will send an AlertVU and activate the Big Voice outdoor warning sirens if the university is a risk of being impacted by a tornado.* (*VUMC users will not receive a Tornado Warning AlertVU – instead, VUMC will be alerted through internal procedures.)

While planning, take your location into consideration. Know your sheltering locations for home, work, and school. If you can, avoid traveling when tornadoes are expected. Plan to seek shelter in a sturdy building, finding an interior room with no windows on the lowest possible floor. Note that the lowest possibly floor may not be the basement or first floor of a building. For more information on preparing for a tornado, visit Ready.gov.


Flooding

A flood is a temporary overflow of water in an area that is usually dry. Floods can be a result of rain, snow, storms, and overflow/failure of water systems. Areas around bodies of water, areas without appropriate drainage, and even indoor locations can be flooded. Even without nearby bodies of water, cities can experience flooding when heavy rains fall. This type of flooding may occur and subside quickly. Indoor flooding may result from external water infiltrating through inadequately sealed windows, doors, or foundations, or from an internal pipe malfunction.

During a flood, water may cover roadways or other travel paths without much warning. Avoid driving or walking through floodwaters. You risk being swept downstream or being exposed to electrical wires or chemicals in the water. You may be asked to evacuate or shelter-in-place to protect yourself.

Ready.gov provides additional information on flooding.


Winter Weather

Winter weather can have a larger impact on regions and people not accustomed to such conditions. The Nashville area experiences winter weather conditions, usually, on a smaller scale than cities further north. Therefore, the Nashville infrastructure may not be able to keep up with a larger winter storm. This can cause difficulties with travel and emergency responses.

To best protect yourself, it is important to know when winter weather is expected and what your plan is. Emergency kits for your car and extra supplies in your home or dorm can help you stay safe if you are stranded or have to stay home. You can find example lists and premade kits online to help you create your personalized emergency kit.

Knowing the warning signs of hypothermia and frostbite can help you protect yourself and others when the temperatures plummet. Make sure you are prepared before leaving your home or work, if you have to drive through winter weather. 


Alerts and Information

Finding information and receiving weather alerts is the first step in planning and acting on that plan.

  • Ready.gov

    Ready.gov is a campaign designed to educate and empower people to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate emergencies and disasters. Ready.gov offers detailed information regarding various emergency scenarios, including recommended response protocols and guidance on developing personal emergency preparedness plans and kits.

  • National Weather Service

    The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, water and climate data, forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services for the protection of life and property. The NWS has offices around the county to provide specialized support for specific areas – the NWS Nashville monitors the Vanderbilt area. The NWS also provides safety information for various natural hazards.

    The NWS Nashville issues severe weather warnings and other alerts for the Davidson County, Nashville, and Vanderbilt areas. (However, we rely on AccuWeather for sending our Tornado Warnings for campus. More on this below.)

  • AccuWeather

    AccuWeather creates personalized programs that are tailored to Vanderbilt's specific requirements. These programs leverage their expertise to develop a customized weather risk mitigation and alerting strategy. Vanderbilt relies on AccuWeather’s pin-point service to warn our community of tornadic storms with the potential to impact campus. The ability to have a meteorologist monitoring specific locations around the clock means we can swiftly issue warnings.

  • Big Voice

    Big Voice is the Vanderbilt University Outdoor Tornado Warning Siren system. There are seven Big Voice sirens strategically placed around the main Vanderbilt campus. It is important to note that these sirens are meant to alert those outside and away from other methods of warning. Do not rely on the outdoor warning sirens to be alerted indoors. In the event a storm capable of producing a tornado or is currently producing a tornado is expected to impact campus, the Big Voice sirens will be activated along with an AlertVU message. If the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for a part of Davidson County that does not include the Vanderbilt main campus, the Big Voice sirens will not be activated and an AlertVU will not be sent.

  • NOAA Weather Radios

    NOAA Weather Radios provide continuous broadcasts of the latest weather information directly from the local NWS Office. When severe weather occurs, routine broadcasting will be interrupted to provide you with frequent updates on severe weather warnings or statements for your area. NOAA Weather Radios can be purchased at many local stores and online.