General
A lock-down procedure is used to secure all or part of a campus with the intention of separating people from danger and preventing a perpetrator from entering College facilities. It is also a method of “sheltering people in place” during a potential or actual event involving a threat of violence against NLC.
This video illustrates Northern Lights College's alert and emergency notification system and the lock-down procedure:
“Active Shooter”
Typically, this would involve an “active shooter” situation where an intruder threatens the personal safety and welfare of anyone at NLC. These types of events are unpredictable and evolve rapidly, requiring an immediate response to the situation by College officials and the RCMP.
In general, how you respond to an active shooter is dictated by the specific circumstances of the situation. If you find yourself in an active shooter situation, try to remain calm, and call 911 as soon as possible.
It is very important to report any potentially threatening person(s) found anywhere on an NLC campus, regardless of whether the person is engaged in an act of violence or the weapon involved.
What is an “active shooter”?
• A person who is actively killing or causing serious, life-threatening bodily injury to multiple victims.
• An active shooter’s desire is to kill and seriously injure without concern for his/her safety or threat of capture.
• The assailant may not stop until his/her objectives have been met or until engaged and neutralized by the RCMP.
• There is little time for organized planning and the RCMP must take immediate action.
• Active shooter situations often develop into hostage situations.
Campus Lockdown: Recommended Actions
Staff Specific:
Student Services/Reception
If you receive notification of an active shooter or violent assailant on campus, activate the emergency notification system by depressing the panic button at your location. Proceed to your safety/shelter area:
• If able, lock or barricade the door. Block the door using whatever is available: desks, tables, file cabinets, other furniture, books, etc.
• Close blinds.
• Block windows.
• Turn off radios and computers.
• Silence cell phones.
• Place signs in exterior windows to identify your location and the location of injured persons.
• Keep people calm and quiet.
• After securing the room, people should be positioned out of sight and behind items that might offer additional protection – wall, desks, file cabinets, bookshelves, etc.
• Do not sound the fire alarms. This may cause others to flee the buildings and put them at risk. Do not exit if you hear a fire alarm.
• Call 911 if it is safe to do so.
• If you send text messages or social media posts do not communicate misinformation or speculation.
If possible monitor the NLC website and NLC social media for the all clear notification. DO NOT exit your safe area until you receive an all clear from a credible NLC source or it is a clear message from an identified RCMP member.
*Campus Security’s Goal & Response:
• Is to notify law enforcement immediately and obtain all of the details on what is occurring.
• Initiate the mass notification warning alert system, to the entire campus and notify the lock-down teams, who will assist with securing the campus as directed.
• Meet with police to disseminate necessary equipment such as building keys, etc. and establish a command center with other authorities.
• Barricade all entrances to the campus – closing it off to all persons, except for the authorities.
• Serve as support team as necessary.
• Security’s primary role is supportive rather than confrontational in nature.
• *Campus Security provides service from 4 PM – 3AM. As a result they may not be present for support during normal working hours.
College Community:
When you hear the emergency notification system, or if you detect an active shooter on campus:
If you think you can escape:
EVACUATE THE BUILDING. DO NOT try to persuade others that do not want to leave.
Once you are clear of the building and safe:
• If you have not yet heard the emergency response system, call student services or reception and let them know there is a shooter on campus, and ask to have the emergency response system activated
• Call 911.
If RCMP units have arrived on scene:
• Move toward any police vehicle when safe to do so and when instructed by police
• Keep your hands on top of your head
• Do exactly and immediately what the police tell you to do
• Once in a safe place stay where you are do not leave unless instructed by the RCMP
If you unable to evacuate the building:
MOVE TO A NEARBY ROOM THAT CAN SECURED (classroom, residence room, office etc):
• Lock or barricade the door. Block the door using whatever is available: desks, tables, file cabinets, other furniture, books, etc.
• If safe to do so, allow others to seek refuge with you.
• Call 911 if it is safe to do so.
• Close blinds.
• Block windows.
• Turn off radios and computers.
• Silence cell phones.
• Keep anyone else in the room calm and quiet.
• After securing the room, people should be positioned out of sight and behind items that might offer additional protection – wall, desks, file cabinets, bookshelves, etc.
NOTES
1. Avoid hiding in restrooms, as they typically cannot be secured. However, if you are caught in a washroom, lock the stall and stand on top of the toilet.
2. If an assailant enters your room and leaves, lock or barricade the door behind them.
If you find yourself in an open area (gym, foyer, atrium, Gathering Space, cafeteria etc):
IMMEDIATELY SEEK PROTECTION:
• Put something between you and the assailant.
• If you know where the assailant is, and there appears to be a safe escape route available to you, try to evacuate the building.
• If evacuation is not possible, find the safest area available and secure it the best way you can.
BE AWARE:
1. Do not sound the fire alarms. This may cause others to flee the buildings and put them at risk.
2.
Should the fire alarm sound do NOT evacuate the building, unless:
a. You have been instructed to do so by some you recognize as College Administration
b. You have been advised by police to evacuate
3. The assailant may bang on the door, yell for help, or otherwise attempt to entice you to open the door of a secured area.
4. Attempts to rescue people outside a secure area should only be attempted if it can be accomplished without further endangerment to the people inside the secured area. If there is any doubt about a threat to the safety of the individuals inside the room, the area needs to remain secured.
Campus Lockdown: Contacting the RCMP/ 911
Be aware that emergency systems may get overwhelmed during this type of incident, if you are unable to reach anyone on the first call, keeping trying. Be prepared to provide as much information as possible, including:
• Describe exactly what is happening (gunshots, explosions, etc)
• Where you are located, including building name and room numbers.
• Number of people at your specific location.
• Injuries, if any, including the number of injured and types of injuries.
• Your name and other information as requested.
• Try to provide information in a calm clear manner so the dispatchers can relay the information to responding emergency personnel as quickly as possible.
Try to note as much as possible about the assailant(s), including:
• Do you recognize the assailant? Do you know his/her name?
• Specific location(s).
• Number.
• Gender, race, and age.
• Language used to give commands.
• Clothing colour and style.
• Physical features – e.g., height, weight, facial hair, glasses.
• Type of weapons – e.g., handguns, rifle, shotgun, explosives.
• Description of any backpack or bag.
Campus Lockdown: When the RCMP arrive
Role of the RCMP upon arriving at a scene with an active shooter:
• The RCMP’s goal is to
locate, contain, and stop the shooter.
• Everyone in the building is considered a suspect.
• When the RCMP makes contact with you, do not run towards them.
• Keep your hands visible and respond to their commands.
• The RCMP may engage with gunfire anyone who is armed or moves on them in what can be perceived as an aggressive manner.
• If you are near the suspects when officers make entry, the best thing to do is drop as low as you can and stay there, with your hands visible until the team commands you to get up.
Injured Persons:
• Based on the first bullet point above, initial responding officers will not treat the injured or begin evacuation until the threat is neutralized.
• You must stay calm and realize that only when the shooter(s) is contained will officers begin treatment and evacuation.
Evacuation:
• Safety corridors will be established by the RCMP. This may be time consuming to set-up.
• Remain in secure areas until instructed otherwise by a personal visit from a uniformed RCMP officer. An all-clear message will be posted on the NLC website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed, but it is best to wait for the RCMP to provide additional instructions.
• You may be searched – leave your personal belongings behind.
• You will be escorted out of the building by the police.
Final Adjudication of Incident:
Once the perpetrator has been neutralized and contained, law enforcement will declare whether the campus can be reopened. The emergency mass notification system will be used to disseminate this information to the campus community.
The press and media may attempt to ask questions. Direct all inquiries to the Executive Director Communications.