Lockdown

The closure of a building or group of buildings is an emergency procedure designed to ensure and protect occupants who are in the immediate vicinity of an immediate threat. This procedure is used when it may be more dangerous to evacuate a building than to stay inside. By controlling entry/exit and movement within a facility, emergency personnel can contain and handle any threat.

A lockdown protocol is a procedure used when there is an immediate threat to the occupants of the building. In the case of a Lock Down, employees, students, teachers, and staff would be instructed to secure themselves in the room they are in and not leave until the situation has been reduced. This allows emergency personnel to ensure students and staff in place, address the immediate threat and eliminate any innocent bystander from immediate danger to a safe haven area.

Lockdown Protocols

A notification to the occupants for closure may be sent by Campus Security, emergency personnel or by an academic or administrative head. Since every building on campus is unique, people can receive a closure notification through various means.

It is essential for the safety of occupants and emergency personnel that people comply with the instructions provided by emergency personnel at all times.

In lockdown alert:

• If you are in a classroom, room or office, stay there, lock the door and windows and wait for more instructions (or an emergency staff escort).
• If the door does not lock, barricading the door with tables and chairs.
• If you are in a hallway, go to the nearest office that is not yet secured and close or block the door and windows.
• Close curtains or blinds whenever possible.
• Stay away from windows and doors.
• Stay low and calm
• Cell phones must be put in silent or vibrating mode. DO NOT make non-essential calls.
• Follow the instructions of emergency personnel only.
• If the fire alarm is activated, stay where you are and wait for more instructions from emergency personnel.
• If possible, monitor www.ubc.ca for updates. Media reports can be unreliable.

Follow the instructions of the police at all times to avoid damage and ensure the best possible response. For their own safety, emergency personnel should initially consider all people as potential threats.

 

Actions to avoid:

• DO NOT open the door once it has been secured until you have been officially informed that “all clear” or that you are sure there is emergency response personnel at the door.
• DO NOT use or hide in bathrooms.
• DO NOT travel through long corridors.
• DO NOT assemble in large open areas.
• DO NOT call 911 unless you have an immediate concern for your safety, the safety of others, or feel you have critical information that will help emergency responders.

Considerations:

• Follow the instructions of emergency personnel only.
• During a block, if the fire alarm is activated, stay where you are and wait for more instructions on a PA or portable speaker.
• For their own safety, emergency personnel should initially consider all people as potential threats. It is important to follow the instructions of the police at all times to avoid damage and ensure the best possible response.

After the lockdown:

• Proceed to the designated meeting area if advised.
• The police may require that people remain available for questioning after a closure.
• The staff of the university may be present when leaving the building to provide additional information.

In general, there are two main blocking situations:

1. Safety lock with the warning: the threat is outside the building.
2. Security lock with intruder: the threat or intruder is inside the building.
3. Suggested blocking with warning procedures

The following procedures must be followed when the threat is outside the building:

The building administrator orders and announces “block with the warning”. Be direct DO NOT USE CODES. This announcement must be repeated several times.

Important:

• All staff in the building should be able to hear the blocking announcement.
• An alternative blocking location must be identified. This location can be indoors or outdoors (if you can hide the students safely).
• Close the exterior doors.
• Clear corridors, bathrooms and other rooms that cannot be secured.
• Secure and cover the windows.
• Keep everyone away from the windows.
• Once the threat has diminished, the building administrator announces “all clear”.

2. Suggested blocking with intruder procedures

The following procedures must be followed when the threat or the intruder is inside the building:

• The building administrator orders and announces “blocking with an intruder”. Be direct DO NOT USE CODES. This announcement must be repeated several times.
• Direct all staff and visitors immediately to the nearest classroom or safe space.
• People who are outside the building MUST NOT enter the building.
• Close the doors of each department.
• DO NOT block exterior doors.
• Keep people away from windows and doors. Keep everyone seated on the floor and turn off the lights.
• DO NOT answer anyone at the door until “all clear” is announced.
• Keep out of sight.
• Prepare to ignore any fire alarm activation, since the building will not be evacuated using this method.
• Once the threat has passed or the intruder has left the building, the administrator must announce “all clear”.

Special Considerations

• Suggested lock before starting school
• The administration and maintenance staff check the corridors and the exterior of the building.
• In “everything clear”, the staff reports to their department to attend.
• Suggested blocking during the procedures of the periods of passage
• The staff gathers everyone in the hallways and other rooms.
• The administration and maintenance staff check the corridors and the exterior of the building.

Crisis preparedness sites

It is strongly recommended that you contact local law enforcement and emergency management agencies of the state for assistance in developing a comprehensive crisis preparedness program for your company.

All buildings, businesses, and schools must have lockdown protocols established to contain or know what they must do to stay safe. In fact, they should try these protocols from time to time by doing mock to ensure that everything is done the right way.