Emergency Contacts
Whether you are on campus, off campus, or someplace else, this page is meant to help members of the Penn community prepare for and access help in the event of an emergency—whether you or someone you know are in need of an ambulance, a police officer’s assistance, emergency counseling, or anything else. Also find information on weather and physical plant emergencies, and more.
Phone
Dial 215-573-3333 or dial 511 from any campus phone to reach University Police.
Tell the dispatcher that you need an ambulance and stay on the phone until you have given the location of the emergency. If you can, stay with the patient until University Police arrive. If the Philadelphia Police or Fire Department arrives before the University Police, inform the attendant or police officer that the patient is to be taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania emergency services unit.
In cases of drug or alcohol overdose, the primary concern of the University Police is the safety of the individual, not prosecution and punishment.
Dial 215-573-3333 or dial 511 from any campus phone to reach University Police.
Student walk-in emergencies are handled at the Student Health Service (3535 Market St, Suite 100)
Student Health Service website
Monday - Wednesday: 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
When Student Health is closed, faculty, staff, and students should go to the HUP emergency services unit at the HUP Pavilion, 1 Convention Avenue.
Off-Campus Fire / Police / Medical Emergencies
Police
Call 215-573-3333 to reach University Police or 911 to reach Philadelphia Police.
Fire / Ambulance
Call 911 to reach the Philadelphia Fire Department.
The HELP line: 215-898-HELP (4357)
The 24/7 HELP Line provides a single point of entry for information about how you or someone you know can get help with personal problems. HELP Line staff can connect callers to Penn health and wellness resources most relevant to their needs.
Clinicians are available for confidential counseling, consultation, and psychotherapy on a walk-in basis or by appointment during office hours.
Dial 215-898-7021 for 24/7 assistance.
24/7 Suicide Prevention Hotline: 215-686-4420
Special Services Unit in the Division of Public Safety (Confidential) (24/7)
4040 Chestnut Street
Daytime: 215-898-4481
24 Hour: 215-898-6600
specialservices@publicsafety.upenn.edu
Special Services offers comprehensive victim support for any member of the University community who experiences interpersonal violence. Special Services has advocates on call 24 hours a day who provide options counseling, and hospital and court accompaniment for victims of any type of crime.
Counseling for Sexual Trauma
- Counseling and Psychological Services’ (CAPS) Sexual Trauma Treatment, Outreach and Prevention (STTOP) Team at provides free confidential counseling for Penn students 215-898-7021
- WOAR Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence provides telephone and emergency room counseling, crisis intervention, and other follow-up services and referrals for victims of sexual assault. The 24/7 WOAR hotline is 215-985-3333.
- Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN offers free and confidential 24/7 online and telephone support at 800-656-4673 and/or https://rainn.org/
Connections to these and other resources can be facilitated by Special Services by calling 215-898-4481/215-898-6600
Student Intervention Services
Student Intervention Services (SIS) enhances well-being, academic success, and personal growth within Penn’s diverse student body through crisis intervention and prevention.
Weather Emergencies
Severe weather, such as winter storms, may force the closing of non-essential offices and the cancellation of classes at Penn. To find out the operating status of the University in the event of severe weather:
- Call the special information number: 215-898-MELT.
- Listen to KYW (1060 AM) for school closing announcements. The University's number is 102 for daytime classes and 2102 for evening classes.
- Check the Public Safety website at www.publicsafety.upenn.edu
Physical Plant Emergencies
In the event of a physical plant emergency, including a need for immediate heating, air conditioning, utility, or building repair, call 215-898-7208.
Telecommunications
To report trouble with phone lines, telephone equipment, or voice mail, call 215-898-1000.
Data communications
To report trouble with data communications lines or equipment, call ISC Client Care at 215-898-1000.