Lockdown is called when there is a threat or hazard inside a building. Lockdown uses room security actions to protect people from an immediate threat.
PUBLIC ADDRESS
The public address for Lockdown is: “Lockdown! Locks, Lights, Out of Sight!” and is repeated twice each time the public address is performed.
“Lockdown! Locks, Lights, Out of Sight! Lockdown! Locks, Lights, Out of Sight!”
MASS NOTIFICATION
Where mass notification is used in lieu of public address, the message should be similar to “Lockdown! X Building.
Locks, Lights, Out of Sight! There is an active shooter.”
Identify both the location and the nature of the threat.
ACTIONS
The Lockdown Protocol demands locking or barricading individual room doors or other access points, moving occupants out of line of sight of corridor windows, and maintaining silence.
There is no call to action to lock the building’s exterior access points. Leave the perimeter as is.
Training reinforces the practice of not opening the classroom door once in Lockdown. No indication of occupancy should be revealed until first responders open the door.
If the location of the threat is apparent and people do not have the option to get behind a door, it is appropriate to self-evacuate away from the threat.
CONTINGENCIES
Students and staff who are outside of a room during a Lockdown may be faced with the need to get out of sight without the benefit of an empty or open room.
In this situation students and staff must be trained to hide or evacuate themselves away from the building.
If, during a Lockdown, an intruder is actively attempting to enter a room that people are in, or an additional hazard manifests (i.e.: fire, flood or hazmat) then situational decisions must be made), evacuation to a non-usual location or by non-usual means (climbing out a window) may be required, or as a last resort preparing to defend the room or yourself may be necessary.
EXAMPLES OF LOCKDOWN CONDITIONS
The following are a few examples of when a school or emergency dispatch might call for a Lockdown.
- Intruder
- Dangerous and violent person
- Domestic issue
- Active assailant
