Response Actions

Bomb Threat, Lockdown, Lockout, Short-Term Shelter in Place

 NOTE: Your district safety plan and building response plans should be used as the basis for action. The key decisions should have been addressed there, making response simple and effective. A clear chain of command is essential, as is a viable communication system. The response plan should be practiced regularly to ensure that everyone knows their role.

Bomb Threat

Bomb threat guidelines are available upon request.

Lockdown

This procedure is used when there is an immediate and imminent threat to the school building population. School staff and students are secured in the rooms they are currently in and no one is allowed to leave until the situation has been curtailed. This allows the school to secure the students and staff in place and remove any innocent bystanders from immediate danger. Most commonly used when building has an intruder. Questions to ask?

    1. Does the school have a lockdown procedure in place? Is it activated using a predetermined phrase or other code?
    2. Do all the staff members have keys to lock the doors of their rooms?
    3. Have teachers arranged classrooms in advance, using "line of sight" as guidance?
    4. What are the procedures for ensuring that all students and staff are accounted for?
    5. Does each teacher know what his/her responsibilities are?
    6. Have substitutes been informed of and trained in the emergency procedures?
    7. Has the lockdown procedure been practiced by the entire school?

Steps to implement lockdown after threat have been identified:

  1. Lockdown signal is given – maybe a code phrase or audible sound from speakers. Can be initiated by any school building Management Personnel.
  2. Call 911.
  3. Teachers/Staff follow preset instructions to secure doors, turn out lights, cover windows, pull shades, and move students out of line of sight of door windows.
  4. Teachers/Staff take attendance and record students that are in the room, missing and extra students from the hall and await further instructions.
  5. Teachers are not allowed to open doors for ANYONE under ANY Circumstances
  6. All activities cease.
  7. Students/Staff outside building must evacuate to a predetermined, off-campus, location. This includes bus runs and field trips.

 

Lockout

This is a procedure, which allows the school to continue with the normal school day, but curtails outside activity, and allows no unauthorized personnel into the building. Most commonly used when incident is occurring outside school building, on or off school property.

Steps to implement Lockout after possible threat have been identified:

  1. Announce Lockout has been implemented.
  2. Call 911.
  3. Activate building emergency plan and implement Incident Command System in accordance with safety plan instructions.
  4. Have students who are outside immediately return to school building.
  5. Administrators/Custodians/Assigned staff - lock and secure all exterior doors and entrances.
  6. Monitor main entrance and allow only AUTHORIZED personnel into building.
  7. Consider using "barricades" close off school driveways and parking lots.
  8. Consider modified release of students for end of school day.

 

Short-Term Shelter in Place

Procedure whereby the entire school population is moved to a single (or multiple) location(s) in the school (depending on building population). Most commonly used during bomb threats and weather emergencies.

Steps to implement Short-Term Shelter in Place after threat of emergency has been identified:

  1. Activate building emergency plan and implement Incident Command System in accordance with the safety plan instructions.
  2. Activate Emergency Response Teams.
  3. Advise the staff and students to proceed to their designated shelter in place area.
  4. Call 911.
  5. Staff and students proceed to their designated locations in an orderly fashion.
  6. Teachers/Staff must take attendance and forward it to the principal or his/her designee.
  7. Depending on emergency, consider using "barricades" to close off school driveways and parking lots.
  8. Principal and designees assist emergency personnel as necessary.
  9. Consider modified release of students depending on emergency and time of day.
  10. If long-term shelter is needed, consult with county emergency management personnel.
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