EMERGENCY LOCK DOWN PROCEDURE
Purpose Lockdown is a protective action employed to safeguard students, faculty, staff, and visitors when there is an imminent threat approaching the campus, on campus, or in the school. Lockdown minimizes access to the school and secures staff and students in rooms. As part of this procedure, everyone must remain in the room until the situation has been declared safe by an authorized person such a Police Officer or other emergency personnel.
Emergency Lock Down Procedure The following sections to be addressed in this procedure: Initiation Communication Implementation Termination Post-Event
Examples of times the campus community might be asked to stay in a specific area: Hostile intruder Severe weather Hazardous material release
Initiation A lockdown may be initiated by: Law enforcement and other authorized emergency personnel, according to their standard operating procedures RCC management when presented with credible evidence of imminent threat to the safety of the campus community
A lockdown decision will be made by College personnel, in the following order of priority: President Vice President of College Services Vice President of Student Services Vice President of Instruction Director of Facilities Any Dean Any College manager
Initiation Do not hesitate to call 911 directly in the event of an active shooter or other applicable circumstance. However, it is imperative to report the incident to one of the named officials immediately to initiate lockdown as soon as possible.
A lockdown may be initiated by anyone, including staff, students, or visitors, in buildings equipped with lockdown buttons. It should be activated when presented with credible evidence of imminent threat to the safety of the campus community
Initiation A lockdown will apply to all buildings on the impacted campus. There will be no partial lockdown.
Lockdown Button Locations (currently under development) RVC Higher Ed. Center RWC Coates Hall
RVC Higher Education Center Lockdown button activation will automatically send text message notification to preselected RCC managers These managers are responsible to ensure this procedure is initiated
Communication Telephone intercom message to all staff Text message to all staff (under development) Email to AllofRCC Text message to all students Email to all students RCC website homepage
Communication Staff Messages The Vice President of College Services, or designee, will be responsible for telephone intercom, email, and text messages to staff, and website messages Student Messages The Vice President of Student Services, or designee, will be responsible for email and text messages to students
Implementation Inside a building If you are inside a building when a lockdown is initiated: Remain calm, and encourage others to remain calm Activate building lockdown button, where equipped If there is no building lockdown button, and it appears to be safe to do so, lock exterior doors while remaining as concealed as possible Faculty and staff should make reasonable efforts to move students and others to secure spaces (out of restrooms, common areas, lobby areas, etc.)
Implementation Inside a building Enter nearest classroom, lab, office, or other secured space Lock down doors Close windows and window coverings (shades, draperies, etc.) Turn off lights, computers, projects, or any other device that may indicate a room is occupied Stay low and away from windows, utilizing solid cover as possible (desks, bookshelves, etc.)
Implementation Inside a building Silence cell phones Do not use cell phones unless communicating vital emergency information Remain quiet and in place Be alert to developing threats Do not respond to anyone at the door until the lockdown is concluded Be aware of alternate exits, should it be necessary to evacuate the building
Implementation Inside a building As much as possible, give the appearance of an empty room If a fire alarm is activated during a lockdown, do not evacuate unless you perceive evidence of a fire, or are so notified by authorized personnel Do not unlock/open doors, or attempt to leave the building, until told to do so by authorized personnel, unless you believe you are in more danger by staying in the building than in attempting to escape
Implementation Outside a building If safe and easily accomplished, leave the campus If leaving is not an option, and if safe, attempt to enter the nearest building If not safe, or buildings are already locked down, find nearest suitable cover (vehicle, tree, dumpster, etc.) Silence cell phones Remain quiet and in place Avoid moving from cover to cover, unless you believe you are in more danger staying in one place
Implementation Not on affected campus Stay away, unless specifically requested by authorized personnel Do not telephone, text, email, or attempt to communicate in any other way, unless specifically requested by authorized personnel
Termination A lockdown may last a few minutes, or many hours. Termination of a lockdown will typically be at the advice of law enforcement or other authorized emergency personnel Communication of the termination will be the same as for the lockdown initiation The Vice President of College Services, or designee, will be responsible for visiting each building and room to ensure the termination communication has been received
Post-Event A lockdown may be traumatic for some. The College Counseling services will be made available for all as soon as reasonable after the event. The Employee Assistance Program is available for all employees.
Post-Event A debrief of the lockdown event will be conducted by Executive Team at the next meeting. Challenges & shortcomings will be identified, and corrective action determined. The RCC Board will be notified of the event by the President.