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1 — PURPOSE

A lockdown is used when it has been determined it may be more dangerous for occupants to evacuate a building than to remain inside. In the event of a critical incident such as an active attacker or a significant threat of violence or harm, a specific building or buildings may be locked down to protect occupants and to assist first responders in resolving a threat.

2 — DEFINITIONS

Hold and secure â€” occurs when an emergency event is taking place off campus or outside a building and is used to prevent people from moving into harm’s way. Members of the community may be directed not to leave campus or not to leave their building, but movement is not restricted within the building or on campus, depending on the nature of the threat.

Lockdown â€” a temporary measure that restricts movement on campus or within a building or buildings. Used when there is a direct threat to the safety and well-being of those on campus.

Active intruder protocol â€” steps taken by community members when there is an active threat to their safety.

President’s Cabinet — Includes the President and Vice-Presidents.

3 — AUTHORITY

The Vice-President, Finance and Administration is responsible for ¹û¶³´«Ãºâ€™s Lockdown Policy and Procedures.

4 — DISCOVERY OF A THREAT

Anyone on campus who has reason to believe there is an imminent threat of violence that could result in serious injury or loss of life is encouraged to take immediate protective action.

Anyone hearing shots or seeing anyone with a weapon should seek immediate shelter, call 911, and contact ¹û¶³´«Ãº Security at 364-2228.

5 — INITIATING A HOLD AND SECURE, LOCKDOWN, OR ACTIVE INTRUDER PROTOCOL

Any member of President’s Cabinet, the Director of Facilities Management and Security, the Director of Marketing and Communications or a designate, is authorized to declare a University lockdown or hold and secure.

Should a member of the ¹û¶³´«Ãº community become aware of a threat, he or she should contact 911 and then contact Security immediately at 364-2228.

6 — NOTIFYING THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY

In the event a hold and secure, lockdown, or active intruder protocol is initiated, the Marketing and Communications Office will inform the campus community using the University’s mass notification system, MtA Alert.

The system has the capability to send:

• e-mail to @mta.ca accounts and alternate e-mail accounts as provided
• text messages to those who have provided their contact information
• phone calls to those who have provided their contact information

Marketing and Communications will also post messages on the:

• University website
• University Facebook account
• University Twitter feed
• Emergency phone line

These messages will be updated throughout the incident as information becomes available.

Members of the community may also be informed of a hold and secure, lockdown, or active intruder in person by campus security or residence life staff.

7 — STEPS TO TAKE DURING A HOLD AND SECURE  

• Remain inside the building unless instructed otherwise.
• The building warden, as defined in the Fire and Emergency Evacuation Policy, is responsible for locking/securing all entrances/exits, ensuring their own safety at all times.

8 — STEPS TO TAKE DURING A LOCKDOWN  

• Lock and/or barricade doors if possible.
• Turn off lights.
• Stay away from all windows and remain in a position not readily visible through a window or door.
• Call 911 if safe to do so and only if you have specific information regarding the threat or immediate concern for your safety or the safety of others.
• Silence your phone and any other devices from rings and vibrations and remain very quiet. Do not make any non-essential calls.
• Do not post information on social media that:
  • could reveal your hiding place
  • indicates where first responders are located
  • could compromise other people’s safety by contributing to feelings of panic or by spreading misinformation
• Conceal or cover yourself behind desks, file cabinets, or other large pieces of furniture. Stay low to the floor if possible.
• Comfort others who may be panicking and assist the injured if necessary.
• Do not answer the door once it is locked or allow anyone to talk their way inside.
• Make a plan in case the intruder(s) gains access to the room.
• Wait for police to arrive. Do not enter hallways, stairways, etc., until instructed to do so. Upon arrival of the police, obey their instructions, including showing your hands when asked to do so.
• Remember it may be several hours before you can be safely evacuated.
• If possible, monitor the ¹û¶³´«Ãº website and MtA Alerts for updates. Media reports during an emergency may be unreliable.
• Should the fire alarm go off during a lockdown:
  • Evacuate only if you see smoke or fire.
  •  If no smoke or fire is visible, remain in place until given further direction by first responders or through the MtA Alert system.

If you are in an open area (such as the library, the dining hall, or a hallway) when a lockdown is initiated: 

• Leave the open area if possible and enter a room or area where you can follow the lockdown procedures above.
• If you are unable to leave the open area, conceal or cover yourself behind large pieces of furniture and stay low to the floor.

If you are outside when a lockdown is initiated:

• Leave campus if you can do so safely. If this is not possible, take shelter in a room in the nearest building, following the lockdown procedures above.

9 — STEPS TO TAKE DURING INITIATION OF THE ACTIVE INTRUDER PROTOCOL

If there is an armed intruder:

• If you are outside of buildings, move away from the affected area if you can do so safely.
• Exit all common and open areas (library, dining hall, hallways, etc.)
  • If you cannot exit the open area, conceal or cover yourself behind desks, tables, chairs, bookcases, or other furniture or equipment. Stay as low as possible behind the barrier.
• Assume a survival mindset:
  • Run — If you can get out, get out. Know the location of the building exits, run in the opposite direction of gunfire or activity.
  • Hide – If you cannot leave safely, find a place to hide.
    • Lock and/or barricade the door if possible.
    • Turn off lights.
    • Stay away from all windows and remain in a position not readily visible through a window or door.
    • Call 911 if safe to do so and only if you have specific information regarding the threat or immediate concern for your safety or the safety of others.
    • Silence your phone and any other devices from rings and vibrations and remain very quiet. Do not make any non-essential calls.
    • Do not post information on social media that:
      • could reveal your hiding place
      • indicates where first responders are located
      • could compromise other people’s safety by contributing to feelings of panic or by spreading misinformation
    • Conceal or cover yourself behind desks, file cabinets, or other large pieces of furniture. Stay low to the floor if possible.
    • Comfort others who may be panicking and assist injured if necessary.
    • Do not answer the door once it is locked or allow anyone to talk their way inside.
    • Make a plan in case the intruder(s) gains access to the room.
    • Wait for police to arrive. Do not enter hallways, stairways, etc., until instructed to do so. Upon arrival of the police, obey their instructions, including showing your hands when asked to do so.
    • Remember it may be several hours before you can be safely evacuated.
    • If possible, monitor the ¹û¶³´«Ãº website and your MtA Alerts for updates. Media reports during an emergency may be unreliable.
  • Fight – If neither of the above is possible:
    • Act with aggression.
    • Attempt to incapacitate the attacker.
    • Improvise weapons (scissors, fire extinguishers, etc.)
• When first responders arrive, remember they are there to stop the threat, not to treat the injured or console victims. As police officers are approaching, ensure you keep your hands visible and follow their instructions. For their own safety, they must initially consider all individuals as potential threats. Once the environment is secured by police, other emergency responders will be allowed in to treat the injured.
• Should the fire alarm go off during a lockdown:
  • Evacuate only if you see smoke or fire.
  • If no smoke or fire is visible, remain in place until given further direction by first responders or through the MtA Alert system.

10 — ENDING A HOLD AND SECURE, LOCKDOWN, OR ACTIVE INTRUDER PROTOCOL

10.1 Ending a hold and secure

• An all-clear message will be sent through the MtA Alert system and posted on the ¹û¶³´«Ãº website.
• You may also be informed in person by MtA security or first responders.

10.2 Ending a lockdown or active intruder protocol

• Remain hidden until police arrive.
• Do not enter hallways, stairways, etc., until instructed to do so.
• Upon arrival of the police, obey their instructions, including showing your hands when asked to do so.
• Remember it may be several hours before you can be safely evacuated.
• If possible, monitor the ¹û¶³´«Ãº website and your MtA Alerts for updates. Media reports during an emergency may be unreliable.

10.3 Post-hold and secure, lockdown, or active intruder protocol

• Determine if counselling services are needed for those involved in the incident.
• Review and evaluate the process.
• Identify lessons learned and steps that need to be taken to enhance existing procedures.

11 — REVIEW

These procedures will be reviewed once every two years and either amended or confirmed.

12 — ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

¹û¶³´«Ãº wishes to acknowledge the following, whose related expertise, policies, and procedures provided background and a foundation in best practices that assisted in the development of this policy:

Memorial University of Newfoundland Emergency Management
Mount Saint Vincent University Campus Lock Down Procedures
Acadia University Emergency Lockdown Procedures
Mohawk College Emergency Lockdown Procedure
Douglas College Lockdown Procedures
RCMP Lockdown Procedure Information Package