Emergency Contacts & Safety Information
SGU’s off-campus Safety Patrol is available for 24/7 assistance.
Security & Emergency
DPS Emergency Number
777. This number can be dialed from any SGU hard line or Grenadian cell phone.
DPS Non-Emergency Number
(473) 444-3898
South St. George’s Police Station EMERGENCY
911
South St. George’s Police Station NON-EMERGENCY
(473) 444-4454
SGU’s Department of Public Safety maintains communication channels on Facebook. Follow us for campus-related general safety announcements.
SGU Safe App
About the Department of Public Safety (DPS)
In order to provide a safe and secure environment, St. George’s University staffs and maintains a professional Department of Public Safety (DPS). DPS is temporarily located on the second floor of the Westerhall building (#31) above the Simulation Center.
Security officers patrol University grounds 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, and 365 days per year. They are qualified to handle any type of safety and security situation. Prior to employment, all officers are subjected to rigorous screening and background investigations.
DPS maintains a close working relationship with the Royal Grenadian Police Force. RGPF officers routinely pass through campus on patrol, and collaborate on joint drills and exercises.
DPS works closely with the Office of the Dean of Students to make certain that safety policies and procedures are uniformly executed and conveyed in a clear, consistent manner for the members of the SGU community.
Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) Locations
View Map: AED LOCATIONS REVISED JANUARY 2016
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- Morris Alpert Hall – Floor 5 reception area (South wing)
- Morris Alpert Hall – Main entrance between wings)
- Chancellery – Outside south door
- True Blue Security Booth
- University Clinic – Emergency room
- Student Recreation Center – Between gyns north side
- Raymond & Jan Sis Hall – Lobby, ground floor
- Small Animal Clinic– Reception area
- University Club – Bar area
- Grand Anse Campus Security Booth
- St. Louis Hall – Lobby, ground floor
- Campache Hall – North side between Human Resources and Accounts
- Louis and Marion Modica Hall – Open patio south east
- Founders Library – East side lobby, near office of Information Technology
- Calabash – South side, Below staircase on ground floor
- Neem Hall – Ground floor lobby, front of building
- Science Hall – Ground floor main entrance, between Adams and Science Hall
- Vet Surgical – Main Entrance, South west side
- Maintenance – South east side, opposite carpenter shop
- Taylor Hall Lobby – Ground floor
Below the Hurricane Belt
St. George’s University is located in Grenada, just north of South America and below the path most hurricanes follow. While hurricanes are rare in Grenada, SGU takes every possible precaution to keep students and staff safe. The campus was a safe haven during Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and again in Hurricane Beryl in 2024.
The SGU campus is built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane, and damage on campus from Hurricane Beryl was limited to the loss of some roof tiles and downed branches. Campus services including power generation, water desalination, and internet connectivity continued throughout the storm, with food service resuming the following day and classes restarting within 48 hours of impact.
The Emergency Operations Center coordinates campus departments to prepare for weather-related events, with drills and exercises to test the University’s emergency preparations. We are confident that students will be safe on our campus, and we are committed to continuous improvement of our hurricane preparedness and response capabilities, even though these events are infrequent.
Canine Unit
SGU is committed to the safety and security of our entire community. The DPS has maintained K9 units since 2006, growing to a capacity of 10 teams to provide 24/7 patrol support to University property and the contiguous residential neighborhoods surrounding the school. Our trained teams are available to assist the RGPF if required.
All teams command trained patrol dogs with the ability to track suspects, lost persons, locate evidence or other property, and search buildings, and handler protection.
Emergency Medical Service
Selected and specially trained security officers perform the duties of Emergency Medical Service transportation drivers, manning the University ambulance when required.
Officers assigned to this unit have completed additional training to the level of Pre Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)
The primary responsibility or this group of officers is to provide security at the University Clinic. Their secondary assignment is to assist when any member of the University community experiences a medical emergency – whether on or off campus. They will support medical staff by driving the specially equipped transport vehicle; assisting medical personnel to help render capable aid at the direction of the University Health Services staff.
Fire Safety
Fire Safety Officers (FSOs) provide a focus on fire prevention, readiness exercises, and emergency response to the SGU community. The FSOs are responsible for the inspections and maintenance of the numerous pieces of safety equipment on campus – from fire extinguishers and detection systems, to first aid kits and automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). FSOs are first responders to fire alarms, but also play an instrumental role in protective actions for any kind of campus emergency.
If you are unfamiliar with the operation of a fire extinguisher, please view this brief demonstration video.
Natural Disaster Preparedness
St. George’s University collaborates closely with the Royal Grenada Police Force and the National Disaster Management Agency to maintain a high level of natural disaster preparedness. SGU’s Department of Public Safety also models best practices from the US Department of Homeland Security’s disaster preparedness resources.
Island-wide preparedness activities occur throughout the year and include drills for hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, and tsunamis.
In the event of a natural disaster or weather warning, the Department of Public Safety will utilize a variety of methods to inform and direct our university community – including text message, email, and class announcements.
Hurricanes: Grenada lies south of the typical path of Atlantic hurricanes, but hurricane conditions can occur. In the past 60 years, Grenada has experienced two major hurricanes – Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and Hurricane Beryl in 2024. However, the Chancellor Charles Modica campus, built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane, was a safe haven for our students, staff, and faculty. Our campus safety precautions should not preempt your own preparation efforts. Learn how to prepare your own readiness plan by visiting http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.
Earthquakes: The Caribbean Plate is a mostly oceanic tectonic plate underlying Central America and the Caribbean Sea. Minor tremors are not uncommon throughout the region. Brush up on earthquake safety advice at http://www.ready.gov/earthquakes and video tutorials via USC’s ShakeOut campaign.
Tsunamis: Familiarize yourself with tsunami warnings and safety advice via http://www.ready.gov/tsunamis.
Parking and Parking Permits
Power Outage
Grenada’s electric utility, Grenlec, provides a safe and reliable supply of power to the island. Outages are rare, but in the event of power failure, St. George’s University maintains a backup generator with capacity to power the entire campus. No matter if you live on- or off-campus, brush up on power outage safety tips in the unlikely event of a prolonged outage.
SGU Dangerous Weather Emergency Plan
The regular hurricane season in the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean extends from June 1 to November 30 of each year. St. George’s University is located in Grenada, just north of South America and below the path most hurricanes follow.
In the past 60 years, Grenada has only had two major hurricanes, Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Beryl in 2024. However, the Chancellor Charles Modica campus, built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane, was a safe haven for our students, staff, and faculty. Damage on campus was limited to the loss of some roof tiles and downed branches.
We have continued to prepare our campus for weather-related events. To ensure the safety of the University community, St. George’s University has developed an emergency plan based on an all-hazards approach that will be executed in the event of a dangerous weather system threatening the island.
Please read our full SGU Dangerous Weather Emergency Plan.
On-Campus Emergency Protocol
Call Campus Security for all emergencies (medical, criminal, safety). They can get you help right away – on campus or off campus.
- EMERGENCY LINE: DIAL 777 from any SGU line or any Grenadian cell phone.
- Non emergencies: DIAL (473) 444-3898. Family members off island, in an emergency please dial a 1 before the number and security can assist you.
- If you are the victim of a crime, call the local police at 911 or direct (473) 444-4454/1535-1537
- Always also notify Call Campus Security – EMERGENCY LINE: DIAL 777
Off-Campus Emergency Protocol
Off-Campus Emergency Protocol
- Call 911 to reach local police.
- DPS Emergency #: 777. This number is a dedicated line that rings at the True Blue campus. It can be dialed by any SGU hard line or Grenadian cell phone.
- Local police non-emergency: (473) 444-4454/1535-1537