A freak blizzard, a mentally ill and armed student, a record-breaking flood. No matter how idyllic a campus may feel, no matter how cocooned the ivory tower, disaster can strike. If a campus is unprepared, it comes like a sucker punch, potentially turning a crisis into a tragedy of unimagined proportions--and causing reverberations that will be felt for years. An effective disaster program is built on three cornerstones: (1) developing a comprehensive safety plan; (2) testing the plan; and (3) deploying the technology to prepare for and respond to a crisis. Finding the money to pay for all of this could be considered the fourth cornerstone, but the truth is that funding tends to become available as a result of solid planning and testing. No safety program can stop every campus threat, but proper preparation can mean the difference between life and death. This article looks at the three key components of a successful program: (1) Make a plan that takes into account four aspects of every emergency: risk assessment, prevention and mitigation, emergency response, and recovery; (2) Test the plan once developed. This includes conducting exercises to help participants become comfortable with the roles they will play during an actual emergency; and (3) Procure the funds necessary to implement the emergency plan.