Critical incidents and emergencies involve threats of harm to individuals, personnel, and/or facilities and require immediate and effective responses.

Individuals should make agreements with various Federal, State and local governmental agencies, including mental health, police, and fire departments. The agreements specify the type of communications and services provided by one agency to another. The agreements also make personnel available beyond the setting in the event of a disaster or traumatic event taking place in the community.

Unlike early warning signs (outlined in Section V, beginning page 65), imminent warning signs indicate that a individual is very close to behaving in a way that is potentially dangerous to self and/or to others. Imminent warning signs require an immediate response.

No single warning sign can predict that a dangerous act will occur. Rather, imminent warning signs usually are presented as a sequence of overt, serious, hostile behaviors or threats directed at peers, staff, or other individuals. Usually, imminent warning signs are evident to more than one person.

• Serious physical fighting with peers or family members.
• Severe destruction of property.
• Severe rage for seemingly minor reasons.
• Detailed threats of lethal violence.
• Possession and/or use of firearms and other weapons.
• Other self-injurious behaviors or threats of suicide.
• Unusual physical, emotional or spiritual activities or problems.

• Has presented a detailed plan (time, place, method) to harm or kill others — particularly if the person has a history of aggression or has attempted to carry out threats in the past.

• Is carrying a weapon, particularly a firearm, and has threatened to use it.

In situations where a person present other threatening behaviors, people should be informed of the concerns immediately. Communities also have the responsibility to seek assistance from appropriate agencies, such as Federal, State and Local agencies such as FBI, family services and mental health.

(Source: Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools)

The purpose of this protocol is to provide a mechanism to assure that threats of violence in an environment are addressed, whenever possible, before they occur. The protocol is identifying credible threats of violence, address those threats and the individual making the threat before the threat is carried out. NOTE: This protocol is applicable during any event or function, whether the event or function be on an individual property or not.

The following procedure is separated into several sections in order to reflect those instances where a threatened act of violence may be received by specific individuals.

1. Any individual, authority, business leader, community leader or person, upon receiving information that an individual is threatening to commit an act of violence, shall:

• Assume threat is serious;
• Immediately report the threat to the proper authorities or law enforcement officer;
• Be available and cooperative in providing a statement of information, with the understanding that the information source will remain anonymous to the greatest extent possible.
• Cause the individual making the threat to be immediately removed from the environment and segregated into a secured area pending further investigation.
• Immediately notify the designated law enforcement and provide the officer with complete information regarding the information received.
• Require the source, if this is the source of the information, to provide immediate written statements regarding the information received.

2. The designated law enforcement officer, upon receiving information that a person is threatening to commit an act of violence, shall:

• Assume threat is serious;
• Immediately conduct an assessment interview of the subject making the threat. The assessment interview will include at least one person. NOTE: The primary purpose of the interview is to engage in an assessment of the available information, in an attempt to determine the veracity of the threat, in order to decide what level of follow-up action is needed and appropriate.

The Threat Assessment Response Protocol shall be periodically reviewed to assess its effectiveness. Changes should be made, as needed, based on actual experiences.

• Walk briskly – don’t run. Get help along the way

• Assess and evaluate:

- the number of people, areas involved, the size of the person involved

- any weapons that are involved

- proximity of individuals who can assist

- Recognize that there may be several subtle things going on simultaneously that are being tangibly

expressed in the conflict. Is there gang involvement? What other alliances might exist?

• Dismiss the audience, Identify yourself to the fighters and Call the student by name

• Stay away from the middle of the conflict

• Remove glasses

• Give specific commands in a firm, authoritative voice and defer to rules, not personal authority

• Separate the aggressor and the victim and avoid physical force if possible

• Remove participants to neutral locations. Obtain identification. Get medical attention if necessary

• Describe incident in writing and debrief relevant anyone involved.

• Provide protection and support for victims and Provide counseling as long as necessary.

• Report incident to law enforcement and agencies, if necessary.

(Source: National School Safety Center, 1995)

In cases of an emergency requiring lockdown, the following procedure will be followed by everyone.

1. Leader or his designee will announce over the public address system that a lockdown is in effect.

2. One of the secretaries will be directed to call 911, notify the police of our emergency and the need for immediate police assistance.

3. The following announcement will be made:

A. Everyone will be told lockdown will occur. All persons will go to their assigned designated areas. No one is to leave their areas until an all clear announcement is made by the person-in-charge. Ignore a fire alarm. If we need to evacuate the building, an announcement will be made.

B. Team Leaders are to do the following:

1. Lock your door.

2. Tell the individual that we have an emergency and you don’t know what it is.

3. Get the individual to go to an safe area is away from any door and .

4. Have individuals stay there until an announcement and update is made.

Communications among team leaders will be by walkie-talkie to assess situation and plan next course of action. The nurse and attendance clerk will report immediately to the main office during lockdown announcement. Security Monitors will report to the nearest area and maintain radio contact with team leaders.

(Sources: Great Bridge High School, Chesapeake City Public Schools and Staunton City Public Schools)

• A hostage situation is any situation in which a person or persons are forced to stay in one location by one or more individuals. Weapons are usually in the possession of the hostage taker(s) and hostages are threatened with some degree of bodily harm should they not comply with the directives of the hostage taker(s). Certain demands are usually made of outside officials in return for the release of the hostages.

• All hostage situations are dangerous events.

• A hostage taker might be a terrorist, fleeing felon, disgruntled employee (past or present), employee’s spouse, drug or alcohol abuser, emotionally disturbed person, trespasser, and on occasion, a parent, student or citizen who is usually angry about some situation and decides to resolve it by taking hostages and making demands to achieve some resolution.

• Likewise, the dynamics of a hostage situation vary greatly and no two incidents will be the same.

Upon notification of a hostage situation within any activity, event, school, or building under the control of the Alan Scott's Research, the following procedures should be implemented:

• Leader: A designated individual will assume command of the situation until the arrival of the authorities at the scene. Security officers should work closely with the designee to ensure that this plan of action is safely achieved. Radios should be utilized when it is established that the hostage taker does not have one. If he does, radios should not be used.

• Containment: Appropriate actions should be taken to isolate the hostage taker and the victims under his control. It is important that no additional individuals be exposed to the hostage taker.

• Evacuation: Using a pre-arranged signal, immediately evacuate the building and ensure that egress of personnel is done in a manner that they do not go near the area controlled by the hostage taker. All individuals should proceed to a prearranged location out of sight of the building so that the possibility of injury from gunfire is minimized. Individuals are to remain under the supervision of officials.

• Re-entry: Ensure that no individuals enter or re-enter the building.

• Contact 911: Immediately have a team member contact 911 and give all available information to the dispatcher who will relay the information to the Police Department. Ensure that the caller remains on the line with the 911 dispatcher until police actually arrive at the scene. This will ensure that accurate, detailed information in relayed to responding officers and officials can respond to requests of the police department.

• Contact Office of the Deputy Superintendent of Operations: Immediately have a member contact the Office of the Deputy Superintendent for Operations at _____________ and give all available information to that office. Ensure that the caller remains on the line with the Office of the Deputy Superintendent until such time as directed to terminate the call by that Office. The Office of the Deputy Superintendent for Operations will immediately contact the Superintendent, the Director of Informational Services, the Coordinator of Security, the Director of Transportation, and the Director of Plant Facilities.

• Police Department: Police Department will respond and, control of the scene.

• The principal or building administrator should maintain contact with the Police Department and report to the Command Center when it is operational. It is important that the items such as building keys and detailed building plans be made available to the police department. Important information such as camera and monitoring locations, hearing and broadcast devices, motion sensors, location of radios, availability of phones, et cetera, must be conveyed to the police department. Anecdotal information regarding the cause of the incident, identity of the hostages and hostage takers, and their location in the building is of great importance. The principal, custodial staff, and plant personnel who are knowledgeable of the building design need to describe the premises using the detailed building plans.

• Response by Public Officials: The Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent for Operations, Director of Informational Services, Director of Transportation, Director of School Plant Facilities, and the Coordinator of Security should respond to the Command Center.

• Media: The Director of Informational Services and the Public Information Officer for the Police Department will handle all press matters as well as the dissemination of information to students and parents at the scene.

• Director of Transportation: The Director of Transportation will, at the direction of the Superintendent or his designee, coordinate the utilization of transportation to evacuate everyone to another location or to their homes.

• Director of School Plant Facilities: The Director of School Plant Facilities will interface with appropriate officials of the Police Department to ensure that all their needs are met with regards to the facility under siege.

• Negotiations: It is important to remember that it is the philosophy of the Police Department to end a hostage situation through negotiating tactics. Often it is a lengthy process. An assault is only used when all indications are that the hostage taker will harm the hostages and lives will in fact be saved through such an assault.

• Closure: Upon the arrest of the hostage taker and the release of the hostages the control of the building will be returned to the place of operation.

Consideration must be given to the possibility of a hostage situation occurring on a vehicle. If such an incident occurs, the following procedures should be implemented.

• Driver: The driver must assume a position of heightened responsibility for the welfare of the passengers in the vehicle as well as his/her own safety. Sound judgment, good decision making, knowledge of police procedures in handling such incidents, and training are the items that will be of greatest assistance to you should you become a victim. Passengers must be made aware of the behavior that will be required of them so they will be safe and do not inflame an already volatile situation.

The driver should accomplish the following tasks if they can be done in a safe manner:

____ Disable the vehicle or throw the keys away. This will eliminate the need to move the vehicle and will be helpful to the Police Department who will respond to the scene as soon as the location has been established.

_____ Evacuate as many individuals as possible from the vehicle and direct them to move to a position out of sight of the vehicle.

_____ Clear the area of as many individuals and others as is safely possible. Notify the transportation radio dispatcher of as much information as possible regarding your situation and location. If allowed to maintain radio contact, do so. All radio transmissions must be disciplined.

• Transportation Department: The dispatch office should call 911 and the Deputy Superintendent for Operations and all procedures set out in the Plan of Action for Buildings should be implemented.

• A situation may arise in which you become a hostage.

• Other individuals, such as students, employees, and citizens may become hostages as the same time.

• Remember that each incident involving hostages is different. Variables such as hostage takers, hostages, motivation for the act, and location of the incident make each occurrence unique. Sound judgment, good decision making, knowledge of school and police procedures in handling such incidents, and training are the items that will be of greatest assistance to you should you become a victim.

• The major responsibility of individuals who have become hostages is to remain calm and act in a manner that will preserve their life, as well as the lives of other hostages.

• If in fact the other hostages are minors, personnel have the additional duties of ensuring that these children are aware of the behavior that will be required of them so they will be safe and do not inflame an already volatile situation.

• Initially, you may be the person who is thrust into the role of negotiating with the hostage taker(s). Always remain calm and request that the situation end by the release of the hostages or the escape of the hostage takers from the area. At all times, remain neutral regarding the reasons given by the hostage taker(s) for taking this action. Your concern is safety and the release of the hostages. Further, responses of the hostage taker may be irrational or illogical, depending upon his/her mental condition and/or the stress of the situation.

• Be prepared to wait, as the resolution of hostage situations traditionally takes time. Be assured that the authorities and Police Department are acting on your behalf, and are acting as quickly as possible.

• The Police Department Crisis Negotiator will contact the hostage taker and begin the process of negotiating an end to the situation. If requested to talk to the negotiator, the Jefferson County Public Schools’ employee should do so. Answer all questions as fully as possible. At this point, the negotiator has the major responsibility to successfully end the situation.

• At the conclusion of the situation, the Police Department will request that you talk at some length with a police officer so that all pertinent information can be recorded.

(Source: Norfolk City Public Schools, Norfolk, VA)

Each home or business should develop a tornado drill annually. Procedures for both Tornado Watch and Tornado Warning will be practiced.

Each place should develop a map to determine areas of shelter to be used during a tornado emergency. Areas of large roof expanses (gyms and cafeterias), and areas with considerable glass should not be used as shelters. The safest shelter areas are interior windowless rooms and hallways that have load-bearing walls and are on the lowest possible level. Upon request, Risk Management & Security staff will assist school staff in conducting a building assessment.

Team Leader

1. Advise everyone via the P.A. system that a tornado watch is in effect.

2. Advise everyone to review the "drop and tuck’ command and designated areas of shelte.r

3. Designate staff to monitor NOAA and television broadcasts for additional information.

4. Bring everyone located outside of the building into the main building.

5. Advise the custodian or building engineer to be prepared to shut off the main gas supply valve in the event of a tornado warning.

6. Ensure that a plan is in place to assist special needs of the individual.

7. Have an alternate plan of communication ready should there be a loss of power (e.g., bull horn, phone tree, runners, etc.)

Team Members

1. Review the "drop and tuck" command and designated areas of shelter with students.

2. Close windows and blinds.

3. Be prepared to "drop and tuck" under desks if the immediate command is given over the P.A. system or if there is an immediate need to do so.

Team Leader

1. Advise everyone of the tornado warning.

2. Advise all team members to escort their classes to their pre-designated areas of shelter.

3. Notify pre-designated staff to keep a look out in order to "spot" tornado funnels. Depending on their position, these staff may need a means to make immediate contact with the authority if a funnel cloud is sighted.

4. Be prepared to give the "drop and tuck" command via the P.A. system if danger is imminent. Occupants may need to "drop and tuck" under desks if they have not yet been moved to areas of shelter in the school.

5. Delay transportation departures.

6. All individuals should be advised of the tornado warning and persuaded to make other arrangements.

7. Have immediate access to the contents of the "Emergency Management Kit" and distribute flashlights as necessary.

1. Escort everyone to the pre-designated areas of shelter.

2. Take a the roster and account for all everyone.

3. Ensure that everyone sit quietly against a wall on the floor and that they understand the "drop and tuck" command.

4. Close all fire doors and gates along the corridor to minimize injury from flying debris.

1. Shut off main gas supply valve.

2. Be prepared to shut off all other utilities if necessary.

1. Drive at a ninety-degree angle from the funnel cloud and seek shelter in the closest building if there is time.

2. If no building is available, highway underpasses can provide protection. Park the bus down wind so it will not be blown back to your position. Escort the students to shelter up under the underpass.

3. If caught near the open, escort the students to a low area such as a ditch, ravine, or culvert.

4. Have people lie face down with hands covering their heads.

5. Report in as soon as danger has passed.

Severe Thunderstorms - thunder, lightning, heavy rains, and strong winds

Hail - pellets of ice from dark-clouded skies

Roaring Noise - like a hundred railroad locomotives; a crashing thunderous sound

Funnel - dark, spinning "rope" or column from the sky to the ground

Information obtained at: www.doe.state.in.us/safety/level3/tornado.htm and www.fema.gov/library/tornado.htm (Source: Department of Risk Management and Security, Prince William County Public Schools, Manassas, VA)

In the event a fire is detected within a building, proceed according to the following plan:

1. Sound the Fire Alarm by pulling the alarm system located in the halls or in specific rooms.

2. Close all doors and windows, including any doors separating sections of the building and at stairwells to confine the fire.

3. Evacuate the building immediately to at least 300 feet from the structure and out of the fire department’s operational area.

4. Make special provisions for handicapped individuals.

• Specific persons, plus alternates, should be assigned to assist specific handicapped individuals.
• Evacuate plans for the handicapped should be reviewed and practiced and periodically updated.

5. Initiate roll. Each teacher should leave the room with the roll book to check student names. In order to avoid confusion, all student absences should be recorded.

6. Render first aid as necessary.

7. Notify utility companies of a break or suspected break in lines which might present an additional hazard.

8. Keep access roads open for emergency vehicles.

9. Have fire department officials declare the area safe before allowing everyone to return to the building.

10. The custodial staff, administrators, and other appropriate personnel should be trained to use fire

extinguishers to fight small fires. However, they should not endanger their lives in doing so.

• Authorities have only administrative investigative responsibility. All fires will be investigated by fire investigators and/or police.

• In support of the investigative efforts by outside agencies, develop a list of events that have recently occurred in the building: disgruntled students/employees, prior fires, rivalry among students or between schools or gang activity.

• All false alarms should be reported to the alarm monitoring facility which will notify the fire department.

• Using a floor plan, locate each fire alarm station on this plan. Each time an alarm is sounded, record the exact location, date, and time of alarm to assess a pattern of alarms. By establishing a time pattern, one can assign staff to provide greater adult presence in halls and stairwells.

• If false fire alarms are a persistent problem, consider initiating a sign-in/sign-out log in each classroom. Team member shall record the name, time, arrival and destination of each person leaving the facility. These lists will be a valuable asset in attempting to develop a list of suspects.

• Consideration of installing special covers over the pull stations that will sound a local alarm prior to sending a general alarm. Businesses using this type of device have found a marked decline in alarms. Before any such device is installed, check with the fire department to get their approval.

• Other Considerations: A very effective tool in reducing false fire alarms is to involve the student body in a program which gives them some responsibilities for "guarding" fire pull stations. Generally this requires little time and causes very little disruption to the program. Stationing individuals at key locations three to five minutes before and after classes change often eliminates false fire alarms.

(Source: Norfolk City Public Schools, Norfolk, VA)

Selected buildings have been designated as emergency shelters and may be opened during hurricanes and other emergencies. Decisions as to which building will be opened depend on specific conditions and the type of emergency. The decision to open a building is made by the county’s coordinator of emergency services, in conjunction with the staff.

A: Shelter Operation

1. Personnel. A minimum of three employees are to be on duty at each shelter. They are:

• Building administrator - person-in-charge. Duties include coordinating building use with the appropriate employees and safeguarding property. Ask volunteers to assist at the shelter.
• Custodian - duties include maintaining the facility, cleaning appropriate areas, supplying necessary restroom supplies, and cooperating with employees. The custodian should secure areas not to be used by evacuees.
• Nutrition service employees - either the cafeteria. Duties include supervising safe operation of the kitchen and safeguarding property. Supplies of food will be delivered to the shelter by the nutrition services department.

2. Employees. In addition to personnel, each shelter will be staffed with the following employees: a shelter manager; a nurse; a social worker; a police officer; and additional employees.

The shelter manager shall be responsible for:

• Providing adequate facilities. Preparation of the building to receive evacuees (including furniture removal, sleeping space allocation, cots placement, supplies distribution, etc.)
• Identification of evacuees.
• Maintenance of communications, both with the facility and with the Command Center.
• Transfer of sick or injured to casualty treatment centers. Requisition and dispersal of food supplies, soap, towels, first aid supplies, etc.
• Enforcement of safety measures.
• Arrangements for transportation.
• Schedule use of sanitary facilities and enforcement of standards of cleanliness.

3. Additional Suggestions

• Electrical service may be disrupted during the emergency and alternate sources of light may be in short supply. Try to secure several flashlights prior to opening the shelter.
• Assist the shelter manager in posting notices of shelter rules. These may vary depending on circumstances, but should probably include:
• Evacuees must register.
• No pets are allowed.
• No alcohol allowed.
• Be considerate of others. Avoid activities that will disturb others (loud radios, etc.)
• Do not admit persons until the shelter has been officially opened.
• Have a supply of board and card games, if possible.
• Keep evacuees informed of the situation via TV or radio. Use a separate room if possible.
• Emergency telephone numbers.
• Emergency Services, Fire, Police and Rescue

(Adapted from Source: Norfolk City Public Schools, Norfolk, VA)