What To Do in an Atlanta Airport Emergency: A Practical Guide for Hartsfield‑Jackson Travelers

An emergency at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) can be stressful, whether you are catching a flight, picking someone up, or just passing through. Knowing who to call, where to go, and how ATL handles emergencies can make a big difference in how safely and quickly you get help.

This guide walks you through what to do in different types of emergencies at Atlanta’s airport, with clear steps tailored to Atlanta travelers and residents.

Key Contacts for an Atlanta Airport Emergency

If you are at or near ATL and there is an immediate threat to life, health, or safety:

• Dial 911 from any phone (cell or landline).
• From an airport courtesy phone, you can usually connect directly to airport emergency services or information.
• For non‑life‑threatening issues, you may be directed to Airport Customer Service or Airport Police.

A simple reference:

When in doubt, call 911 first; dispatchers can coordinate with the airport’s on‑site police, fire, and medical teams.

Understanding How Emergencies Work at ATL

Hartsfield‑Jackson has its own on‑site emergency response, including:

• Police presence in terminals, parking areas, and roadways.
• Atlanta Fire Rescue Department units assigned to the airport.
• Medical response teams that can reach most parts of the airport quickly.
• Security checkpoints operated in coordination with TSA.

If you’re traveling through Atlanta, live nearby, or picking someone up, it helps to know that local City of Atlanta and Clayton County emergency systems coordinate closely with the airport.

Medical Emergencies at Atlanta Airport

If you or someone near you has a medical emergency

Act quickly:

1. Call 911 and clearly state:
   • You are at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
   • Your exact location (for example, “Concourse B near Gate B12,” “South Baggage Claim,” or “Domestic Terminal North check‑in area”).
2. Alert nearby staff:
   • Notify gate agents, TSA officers, airline staff, or nearby shop/restaurant employees.
   • They can contact airport medical responders and help guide them to you.
3. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions:
   • Stay on the line if possible.
   • Follow any basic safety directions they give while you wait for responders.

Atlanta airport also has AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) placed in many concourses and public areas. If someone collapses and is unresponsive, staff or trained bystanders may use them while emergency responders are on the way.

⚠️ Important: If you are unsure whether something is an emergency, it is safer to treat it as one and call 911.

Safety, Crime, and Security Incidents at ATL

If you witness or experience a crime

Typical situations could include theft, assault, or other threatening behavior.

1. Move to safety if you can do so without increasing danger.
2. Call 911 and describe:
   • What happened
   • Where you are (terminal, concourse, gate, or parking area)
   • Any descriptions of people involved
3. If you are already near airport staff:
   • Notify a police officer, TSA agent, or airline employee immediately.
   • They can quickly reach Atlanta Airport Police and coordinate with other agencies if needed.

For non‑emergency police matters related to the airport (such as follow‑up questions or reports that are not urgent), you can be directed through local law enforcement or airport information desks, but for active emergencies, 911 is the fastest route.

Fire, Smoke, or Hazardous Conditions

If you see fire, smoke, or smell something unusual in the terminal, garage, or on airport roadways:

1. Call 911 immediately.
2. Follow instructions from airport staff, police, or fire personnel.
3. If alarms sound:
   • Leave the area calmly but quickly.
   • Follow posted exit signs and staff directions.
   • Avoid using elevators unless directed by emergency personnel.

ATL is designed with fire alarms, sprinklers, and emergency exits throughout the terminals and concourses. The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department operates at and around the airport and responds to these situations.

Severe Weather and Flight Disruptions in Atlanta

Atlanta’s weather can bring thunderstorms, heavy rain, and occasional winter weather, which may cause:

• Ground stops and flight delays
• Temporary evacuations from certain areas
• Crowded terminals during long delays

What to do during severe weather at ATL

• Follow announcements: Overhead messages and display boards will share gate changes, delays, and safety instructions.
• Stay in designated areas:
  • Avoid going outside to roadways or parking decks during lightning, heavy rain, or high winds.
• Stay in contact with your airline:
  • Use the airline app, text alerts, or visit the airline’s desk inside the terminal.
• If you feel unsafe (for example, structural concerns, major flooding, or damage):
  • Call 911 and alert airport staff where you are.

Suspicious Activity or Unattended Items

At a major hub like Hartsfield‑Jackson, security awareness is taken seriously.

If you see:

• An unattended bag or package in a public area
• Someone acting in a clearly suspicious or threatening way
• Attempts to bypass security controls

Do the following:

1. Do not touch or move any suspicious item.
2. Notify airport staff or police immediately, or call 911.
3. Be prepared to describe:
   • Location (for example, “Domestic Terminal South security line”)
   • What you saw
   • Time you noticed it

You may be asked to move away from the area or follow additional instructions while it is checked.

Emergencies in Different Parts of Atlanta Airport

Hartsfield‑Jackson is large and can feel confusing in a stressful moment. Here’s how to think about emergencies in specific areas.

Terminals and Concourses

• Domestic Terminal North & South, plus Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, and F, are patrolled by airport police and monitored by cameras and staff.
• If something goes wrong:
  • Look for a gate agent, TSA officer, customer service counter, or any employee in uniform.
  • They can reach emergency responders even faster because they know the internal locations and codes.

Parking Garages, Cell Phone Lot, and Roadways

If you have an emergency in:

• North or South parking garages
• Economy parking
• International Terminal parking
• Cell Phone Lot
• Airport access roads or curbside pick‑up/drop‑off

You can:

1. Call 911, giving as much detail as possible about where you are (level of garage, near which sign, or which terminal side).
2. Look for help phones or security call boxes, where available.
3. Wave down a parking attendant, shuttle driver, or police vehicle if you see one nearby.

Traveling With Children, Older Adults, or People With Disabilities

Emergencies can be more stressful when you’re responsible for someone who needs extra assistance.

Helpful steps before and during your time at ATL

• Plan ahead:
  • If you or someone with you has mobility or medical needs, work with your airline ahead of time to arrange wheelchair assistance or pre‑boarding where available.
• Stay together:
  • During delays or crowded conditions, pick a specific meeting point (for example, “by the main information desk in the Domestic Terminal North”) in case you get separated.
• In an emergency:
  • Let airport staff know if you or someone in your group needs extra help evacuating or moving.
  • Staff can help coordinate with responders to assist people who use mobility devices, oxygen, or other aids.

If You Are Picking Someone Up During an Atlanta Airport Emergency

Sometimes you might hear that there is an “incident at the airport” while someone you know is flying through ATL.

What you can do from outside the airport

• Stay informed through official channels:
  • Monitor your airline’s alerts for flight status.
  • Listen to any local emergency announcements via local news or official city/county information.
• Avoid crowding the terminal area:
  • If access is restricted due to an emergency, follow roadway signs and instructions from officers directing traffic.
• If you are already on airport property and a major incident occurs:
  • Follow the directions of law enforcement, airport staff, or traffic control.
  • Do not block emergency vehicle routes or try to drive around barricades.

Lost, Disoriented, or Separated From Your Group

In a large airport like ATL, it’s easy to become separated during stressful moments.

If you are lost or separated:

1. Go to a staffed area:
   • Airline counter
   • Gate desk
   • Information desk
   • Security checkpoint area with officers present
2. Explain the situation:
   • Staff can help communicate with your group if they are on the same flight or inside the airport.
3. If you are responsible for a child, older adult, or person with special needs who becomes missing:
   • Notify airport staff and police immediately.
   • Provide names, descriptions, and last known location.

Preparing Yourself Before You Fly Through ATL

Even if you never experience an emergency, basic preparation can make any trip through Hartsfield‑Jackson smoother.

Consider:

• Saving key information on your phone:
  • Your airline’s customer service number
  • Contacts of anyone picking you up in Atlanta
• Knowing your terminal and concourse ahead of time.
• Allowing extra time:
  • ATL is one of the world’s busiest airports; getting from one concourse to another via the Plane Train or walking can take longer than expected.
• Keeping medications and important items in your carry‑on, not checked bags, in case of unexpected delays or diversions.

When to Involve Local Atlanta Services After an Airport Incident

Some situations begin at the airport but continue after you leave, such as:

• Lost property that’s later found damaged
• Injuries that worsen after you get home
• Emotional distress from a frightening incident

Depending on the situation, you may:

• Consult local health services if you are hurt or feel unwell after an incident.
• Work with local law enforcement if you need to file or follow up on a police report related to events at the airport.
• Contact your airline about trip disruptions, baggage problems, or missed connections resulting from airport emergencies.

Knowing how Atlanta’s airport emergency response works and what steps to take can help you stay calmer and act quickly when it matters. Whether you live in Atlanta or are just passing through Hartsfield‑Jackson, keeping basic safety steps in mind will help you navigate any unexpected situation more confidently.