09:17:00 Emergency Lockdown

PURPOSE

To establish emergency lockdown protocol.

POLICY

A lockdown is the act of securing doors and windows of an occupied area so that authorized personnel can only gain entry via the use of a key/fob. A lockdown can be initiated to provide protection from an imminent or immediate threat within the building or it may be initiated to prevent a threat from entering a building. It is the policy of Walters State Community College that all faculty and staff obtain key/fobs to work areas and keep them in their possession at all times. Classroom doors are equipped with locking mechanisms that can be secured from the inside of the room with a key/fob.

A lockdown may be implemented when there is an active threat of violence or hybrid targeted violence within a building, on campus grounds, or near areas adjacent to the campus. It is intended to limit access to buildings and areas and provide protective cover for students, staff and visitors. When a lockdown is declared, all College community members are to stay in their current location. During the lockdown, building(s) will have restricted access until the “All Clear” is given by campus officials, or local emergency personnel or staff who otherwise direct individuals. All College activities, classes and events will immediately cease and will not resume until official notice is given by College administration. College officials, law enforcement agencies or other emergency responders may give a lockdown alert when it is perceived there is an active threat in or near a building or campus.

PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW DURING LOCKDOWN

In the event a hostage or a situation involving weapons occurs, the following procedure should be followed:

1. Remain as calm as possible. Try to keep others around you calm as well.
2. If possible, call 911 to report the incident and alert Campus Police.
3. All building occupants, once alerted by sight, sound, or action within the building affected by the incident, should retreat inside of a classroom or office that offers the maximum security from the intruder.
4. Secure the immediate area by locking or barricading the door. Block the door using whatever is available.
5. After securing the door, stay behind a solid object and away from the door as much as possible.
6. If the threat enters your room and leaves, lock and barricade the door behind him/her.
7. If safe to do so, allow others to seek refuge with you.
8. Protective Actions - Take appropriate steps to reduce your vulnerability, such as:

1. Close blinds, block windows, turn off radios, and computers.
2. Silence cell phones and place signs in windows; but remember the attacker may see these as well.
3. Place signs in exterior windows identifying location and injured.
4. Keep calm and quiet.

  9. After securing the room, people should be positioned out of sight and behind items that may offer protection.

10. Unsecured areas - If you find yourself in an open area, immediately seek protection by:

1. Putting something between you and the assailant.
2. Consider trying to escape, if you know where the assailant is and there appears to be an escape route immediately available to you.
3. If in doubt, find the safest areas available and secure it the best way you can.
4. Provide as much descriptive information as possible to Campus Police and/or 911.

11. If safe to do so, call 911 and provide the following information in a calm manner so that the 911 operator can quickly relay information to emergency personnel:

  a. What is happening

  b. Where you are located, including the building name and room number

  c.  Injuries, if any, including the number of injured and types of injuries

  d. Your name and other information requested

12. Provide emergency first aid to those in need by - Utilizing trained and certified staff where possible from nursing, paramedic, and E.M.T. programs and instructors

13. What to do if faced with an assailant actively shooting or aggressively attacking people:

1. Look for improvised weapons – chairs, fire extinguishers, tables, phones, etc.
2. Attack the attacker with multiple people as aggressively and as forcibly as possible.
3. Attack the attacker’s weapon, strip the weapon away, and hold the attacker’s hands and feet; he/she may have multiple weapons.  Ask others, who are willing to help, to hold him/her down.
4. Call police. DO NOT HAVE WEAPONS IN YOUR HANDS WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVE!

14. WSCC police will immediately respond to the area once notified.

15. WSCC police will notify local emergency responders and give as much information as possible to aid in their response.

16.  Police will pass by injured persons until the active threat is neutralized.

17.  Remain in secure area until instructed otherwise.

18.  You may be instructed to place your hands on your head; while evacuating, follow all police instructions.

19.  You may be searched.

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