In a residence hall on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, two students had been shot to death. A couple of hours later, the tragedy multiplied by horrific proportions as across campus, 30 students and instructors were gunned down in a classroom building. As the details emerged of the worst shooting incident in U.S. history, educators and administrators at schools and universities absorbed another painful reminder of the threats and dangers that can rise up at a moment's notice and shatter the belief that educational institutions are safe havens from the ills of the outside world. In the aftermath of the Virginia Tech tragedy, schools and universities are focusing attention on preventing campus violence, but administrators also must remain vigilant about addressing other threats that could jeopardize the safety of the school community. Campuses across the nation face common dangers, such as fires; rarer catastrophes such as earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes; or even health crises, such as a flu breakout. Educational institutions need to have plans in place so personnel can react quickly should such an event strike their facilities.