LOCKDOWN TRAINING Our ‘new normal’ Most have practiced fire drills since childhood. Few know what to do when faced with someone indiscriminately shooting and killing people. Schools, businesses and hospitals nationwide are now preparing for that very thing. Recently shootings have occurred at a church in Wisconsin, a workplace in Milwaukee, a theatre in Colorado, the first day of high school in Mary land (2012) and the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown Connecticut (Dec. 2012, 20 children and 6 adults murdered. Our ‘new normal’ This has become our “new normal” It doesn’t just happen somewhere else. It is everywhere! There are no guarantees, but at least thinking about what to do in a violent situation and rejecting the notion this will never happen to me is a good first step. We can’t ignore it. We must prepare for it. It has happened here… it can happen again April 2007: Stalker Jonathan Rowan shot and killed his ex-girlfriend Rebecca Griego in her office at the University of Washington before killing himself. October 2008:15-year-old student was shot and killed behind Garfield High School in Seattle. A 20-year-old was later charged with murder. February 2010: 30-year-old Jed Waits, of Ellensburg, stalked and fatally shot Jennifer Paulson, a special-education teacher at Birney Elementary School in Tacoma. Waits later died of a self-inflicted gunshthot woun d. It has happened here… it can happen again September 2011: 51-year-old Ronald Flicker was killed in a shootout with police on the groundfClkEltds of Clark Elementary School in Issaquah. February 2012: 8-year-old student was critically injured at Armin Jahr Elementary School in Bremerton when a gun in a classmate's backpack went off. Lockdown: What is it? A lockdown is an established response plan implemented by a workplace building which is put into effect once there is a perceived or actual threat from an external or internal source. Lockdown: What is the pppurpose? The purpose of a lockdown is to move staff, clients and visitors into the nearest secured area to minimize their exposure to a poten tia l threa t w he ther internal or external. Two types of lockdown Full lockdown Occupants remain out of sight and as quiet as possible, with only limited authorized entry, exit, or movement within the building. Occupants in corridors , common areas, or unsecured areas move quickly to the nearest secured area. Two types of lockdown Full lockdown (cont’ d) Occupants must stay where they are and may not exit or enter a room. Often times when a potential outside threat has been identified a “full lockdown” is initiated until more information is gathered and it can determine with reasonable certainty that a “modified lockdown” is more appro priate. This information typically comes from local police. Two types of lockdown Modified lockdown Occupants of a facility are isolated from potential outside threats by remaining within a building with exterior doors and other exits secured. En try and ex it from th e b uildi ng is lim ite d to that which is authorized. Interior movement and other activities within the building may be allowed or restricted in accordance to the lockdown plan. Two types of lockdown Modified lockdown (cont ’ d) Visitors should report to the office immediately. Do not cover interior windows so that you may see who is knocking at your door. Examples of lockdown situations Police activity that poses a potential threat to a nearby business or agency. If there has been a serious crime (weapons involved etc.) near the area of a school there is almost always a lockdown initiated by the police. If there is information about someone believed to be on the ir way to a bus iness w ho may be a threa t to s ta ff (D/V related incident, gang drive-by, suicidal client, etc.). Armed intruder either inside the building or outside the building. Actual or perceived threat to building occupants including clients, staff and visitors. Lockdown processes Who can place building into lockdown (front office staff, administrators, etc)? From wha t l ocati on s (Wh at if th e thr eat i s in th e front office?) What methods (automated alert syy,stem, air horn, P.A./intercom, etc.) What’s your back up plan? Clear langgguage vs coded announcement Accurate, Brief, Clear communication is best! Temps/vendors/visitors don’t know the code. Most staff members forget the code. Ulld’tkithllitiUsually doesn’t work with large listening audiences. The suspect knowing doesn’ t really matter since he’s already upset! Lockdown Announcement Post yo ur lockdo w n message by a phone in a safe location and designate a person to read it during a lockdown. Announcement should be repeated i.e., “Attention staff, go to full lockdown.” Large meeting rooms may not hear the “lockdown” announcement. A flashing lockdown light or staff may need to alert them. Plan for this. Front office person near outside doors to post lkdlockdown s igns iffif safe Lockdown sigggnage If safe to do so, post lockdown signage: Should be posted on all doors that might be used as an entry door for visitors Should have clear, strong language that warns visitors of a lockdown Should give direction to visitors to leave the area immediately Should show how visitors will receive updates Should show the authority for the directive Should show possible consequences for not complying with the directive Visitors Visitors and clients alreadyyg in the building will be assisted in locking down with staff. Arriving visitors will notice signs posted on doors and on reader boards if available, advising of a lockdown with instructions to leave the building imme ditldiately. Law enforcement expects your full cooperation by comply ing w ith these instru ctions. During a police response, every second counts. Lockdown procedures Print ppgrocedures on the back of a window covering or in a folder by the door - easy to find for anyone in the room and easy to carry and refer to. Sta ff near out sid e d oors, mus t l oc k ou tsid e doors an d sweep bathrooms (Know your assignment and help other staff). Lock doors and bring any clients and visitors in with you (Pause to look for threat) Staff should enter the closest locked room upon the announcement of a full lockdown. DO NOT travel. Lockdown procedures (()cont’d) Cover door window with window strip Turn off lights Close room blinds/window coveringgys and stay clear of the windows Staff, clients and visitors are to sit calmly away from the w in dows /doors (usua lly on the door wall side of the room) – spread out (don’t huddle in a mass group) Use furniture to assist with cover and concealment Lockdown procedures (()cont’d) Staff, clients and visitors are expected to keep their cell phones put away and silenced. If possible to do so safely, one person should call 911 (cell phone or land line.) It can be helpful for calls to 911 for the purpose of iden tify ing the suspec ts, the ir las t known loca tion and information about weapons (how many and what type etc. ) Lockdown procedures (()cont’d) Unnecessaryyg texting and calling to friends and family off site usually creates more problems for first responders. Take roll call when safe to do so (pass paper/pencil around) Admin email staff/client list: Include All Office and Admin (should create a “lockd own ” ema il group ) Lockdown procedures (()cont’d) Assess your situation - While in the process of locking down, if you are faced with a threat, RUN Run in the opposite direction Run to the nearest room Run to an office If inside, this may mean run out the nearest exit but know where the exit leads If outside, this may mean staying outside and run to an adjacent school, business, residence etc. Lockdown procedures (()cont’d) Do not open door Do not evacuate the building if the fire alarm sounds un less there is imm inen t fire danger If an intruder enters the area you are in, direct people to ru n aw ay from the intruder . Escape the situation. If gunshot(s) or explosion(s) are heard, get low or flat on the floor, Quickly evaluate what is happening. Where is the threat coming from. Prepare to move quickly to cover or flee the area Preppgare to Fight If you need to fight, what is your plan of attack? Be aggressive for as long as it takes Strength in numbers Know your facility. What can you use as a weapon? Stapler Books Toys Broomstick Camera This is not a duck and cover drill People who duck and cover near the shooter are at greater risk of dying. People who run stand a greater chance of getting away from the shooter. 90% o f Co lum bine ’s popu la tion evacuated. Know yygour building environment Door locks can be different from room to room Exterior doors are often “barred” Know how to tell if the barred door is in the locked position KhKnow how your dlkdoor locks opera tdtite and practice Do you have to “key” your lock from the outside? DhthblkDo you have a thumb lock Post lockdown notification People are to stay where they are until an “All Clear” announcement is given by identified office/staff Briefly notify clients and staff of the event. Reassure them of their safety and give positive feedback for their efforts and cooperation. Be ppprepared to release good information to the ri ght peo ple to quash rumors and eliminate fear, frustration and panic.