Reporting A Problem
(The Emergency Response Guide is also available as a PDF)
In an emergency, call 911 (from campus phones) /
255-1111 (from cell phones).
What IS a 911 Emergency? A 911 emergency is any situation that requires IMMEDIATE police, fire, or medical response to preserve life or property. Call 911 to report problems such as:
- fires
- explosions
- chemical spills
- assault or immediate danger of assault
- severe injuries or illnesses
- crimes in progress
- unusual odors
- someone choking or drowning.
In an emergency, seconds count. Calling 911 inappropriately may delay responses to real emergencies. This guide will help you use your best judgment when deciding whether a situation requires an emergency response.
Campus Emergency Numbers
Police, fire or medical emergencies: 911 (from campus phones) /
255-1111 (from cell phones)
If you're calling on a Cornell phone, Cornell Police will respond to your call directly and route it to local police, fire, ambulance, and other services.
Facilities-related emergencies
- Campus Life: 5-0423
- Other facilities: 5-5322
Off-campus emergencies
- Ithaca Police Department : 272-3245
- New York State Police : 273-4671
Campus Response/Information Services
| Cornell Police Emergencies: - from campus phones - from cell phones |
911 5-1111 |
| Cornell Police Non-emergencies | 5-1111 |
| Environmental Health and Safety | 5-8200 |
| Emergency Planning and Recovery | 5-4393 |
| Facilities Customer Service | 5-5322 |
| Gannett Health Services | 5-5155 |
| Campus Life Facilities Office | 5-0423 |
| University Operating Status Inclement Weather Phone | 5-3377 |
University Operating Status Web Site:
http://www.cornell.edu/about/status/
University Special Conditions Web Site:
http://cuinfo.cornell.edu/SpecialConditions/
Emergency Planning and Recovery Web Site:
http://epr.cornell.edu
In an emergency, you can call 911 on ANY phone in Tompkins County. On the Cornell campus, Cornell Police is the 911 liaison and a primary emergency-response agency.
To report an emergency occurring on campus:
On a regular Cornell phone, dial 911 / 255-1111 (from cell phones). Cornell Police will respond directly and will route the call to local police or fire departments, or ambulance and other services.
You can also use any outdoor Blue Light phone (situated throughout the campus) or designated emergency phone (in various campus buildings) to report a campus emergency. Just pick up the receiver.
To report a campus emergency to Cornell Police on a cell phone or pay phone, dial 255-1111.
When reporting a 911 emergency, be prepared to give the following information:
- Location of the emergency - directions, street address, building and room.
- Type and severity of the emergency, e.g.,
- Fire - type and size of fire.
- Medical - type of illness or injury, cause, number of victims.
- Police/Crime - type of crime, description of suspects and their direction of travel.
- Chemical/Hazardous Materials - quantity and type of substances involved, hazards and injuries.
- When the incident occurred.
- Your name, location you're calling from, and phone number.
Call from a safe location, if possible. Remain calm. Speak slowly and clearly. Do not hang up the phone until the dispatcher tells you to or hangs up.
NON-Emergency Situations
A non-emergency situation does not require immediate attention to preserve life or property. Examples are minor vehicle accidents; disabled vehicles; missing property; excessive noise; and similar police-related matters.
To report a non-emergency situation on the Cornell campus, call:
- Cornell Police at 255-1111 (from cell phones) / 5-1111 (on Cornell phones) or pick up a Blue Light phone.
- Environmental Health and Safety at 255-8200 (5-8200 on Cornell phones).
- Facilities Customer Service at 255-5322 (5-5322 on Cornell phones).
- Gannett: Cornell University Health Services at 255-5155 (5-5155 on Cornell phones).