Safety Notice for Students and Staff

The purpose of this information is to help students and staff understand official warning messages and know how to respond calmly and appropriately if an alert is issued.

Warning and alarm systems are designed to provide information early enough for people to take appropriate precautionary measures. At the same time, every official alert should be treated seriously and the instructions contained in it should be followed. There is no reason to panic.

It is important to remember that an RCB Alert can be issued for many different types of hazards, including severe weather, flooding, contamination or other threats. In the case of a potential air-attack threat, official guidance distinguishes several stages of warning.

1. VIGILANCE

RCB SMS Alert:
UWAGA! Rosyjski atak powietrzny na terenie Ukrainy. Sytuacja jest monitorowana. W przestrzeni RP operuje polskie lotnictwo. Oczekuj dalszych komunikatów.
ATTENTION! A Russian air attack is taking place in Ukraine. The situation is being monitored. Polish military aviation is operating in Polish airspace. Await further communications.

At this stage, the situation is being monitored. An air attack may be taking place in Ukraine close to the Polish border and Polish military aircraft may be operating in Polish airspace.

This does not mean that an attack is taking place in your location.

What should you do?

Remain calm, follow official information and be prepared for further messages. You may hear military aircraft. At this stage, you should simply know where the nearest designated safe location is and be ready to act if the situation changes. The RCB guidance indicates that another alert may follow if the level of risk increases.

2. READINESS

RCB SMS Alert:
„UWAGA! Trwa zmasowany rosyjski atak powietrzny na zachodnią Ukrainę. Oczekuj dalszych komunikatów. Reaguj na sygnały alarmowe.”
“ATTENTION! A large-scale Russian air attack is underway in western Ukraine. Await further communications. Respond to alarm signals.”

This alert means that the level of risk has increased, for example because of intensive military activity close to Poland and a higher risk of a hostile object entering Polish territory.

It still does not automatically mean that an attack is occurring at the University or in Lublin.

You should remain calm, continue following official information and prepare to move to a safe location if instructed to do so. Further warning messages or an alarm signal may follow.

3. ALARM – ACT NOW

RCB SMS Alert:
„UWAGA! UWAGA! UWAGA! Zagrożenie atakiem z powietrza. Znajdź bezpieczne miejsce. Stosuj się do poleceń służb. Oczekuj dalszych komunikatów.”
“ATTENTION! ATTENTION! ATTENTION! Threat of an air attack. Find a safe place. Follow the instructions of the emergency services. Await further communications.”

An alarm means that an air-attack threat has been identified and immediate action is required.

If you receive an RCB message instructing you to “Find a safe place”, do not wait for additional confirmation. Follow the instructions, remain calm and proceed to the designated safe location.

The official RCB guidance for this stage states that the message may be accompanied by an acoustic alarm signal.

What do the sirens mean?
In Poland, there are two basic civil-defence siren signals that everyone should know.

A modulated siren sound lasting 3 minutes means: ALARM ANNOUNCED.

A modulated sound rises and falls in pitch rather than remaining at one constant tone. If you hear this signal, remain calm, check official communications and follow the instructions provided. If instructed to take shelter, proceed to the designated safe location.

A continuous, steady siren sound lasting 3 minutes means: ALARM CANCELLED / ALL CLEAR.

This means that the previously announced alarm has been officially cancelled. Continue to follow official information and return to normal activities in accordance with the instructions provided.

Sirens may also be used during planned exercises or tests. Such exercises are announced in advance through official channels. Therefore, hearing a siren should not automatically be interpreted as confirmation that an attack is taking place. First identify the signal and check official information.

What should you do at the University?

If an alert instructing you to find a safe place is issued:

• remain calm;
• follow official RCB, emergency-service and University communications;
• proceed promptly to the nearest designated safe location;
• if possible, assist anyone who may require support;
• do not gather near windows or leave the building unless instructed to do so;
• remain in the designated area until further instructions are provided.

Safe locations in University buildings are marked:

BEZPIECZNE MIEJSCE / DESIGNATED SAFE LOCATION

Directional signs indicate the route to these areas.

If you cannot reach a designated safe location, move to the lowest available part of the building, preferably an internal room or corridor away from windows and external doors. Official guidance also identifies suitably prepared basements, underground garages, tunnels and underpasses as possible protective locations.

Stay informed, not alarmed

These procedures are part of normal emergency preparedness. Their purpose is not to create fear, but to ensure that everyone knows what to do before an emergency occurs.

Most importantly: remain calm, do not rely on rumours or unverified social-media reports, follow official communications and comply with the instructions given by the relevant authorities and University staff.

Knowing the procedures in advance allows us to respond quickly, calmly and safely if they are ever needed.