Safety Terminology

What is a Hold Action?

There are situations that require students and staff to remain in their classrooms or stay out of access areas. For example, an altercation in the hallway may require keeping students out of the halls until it is resolved. A medical issue may require only one area to be cleared, with halls still open in case outside medical assistance is required.

During a Hold, there may be a need for students who are not in a classroom to proceed to an area where they can be supervised and remain safe.

Examples of Hold conditions:

• A medical issue that needs attention
   

• An altercation in a hallway
   

• Unfinished maintenance in a common area during passing period

What is the Secure Action?

The Secure Action is called when there is a threat or haz- ard outside of the school building. Whether it’s due to violence or criminal activity in the immediate neighborhood, or a dangerous animal in the playground, Secure uses the security of the physical facility to act as protection.

Examples of Secure conditions:

• An unknown or unauthorized person on the grounds
   

• Dangerous animal on or near the grounds
   

• Police activity in the area

What is the Lockdown action?

Lockdown is called when there is a threat or hazard inside the school building. From parental custody disputes to intruders to an active assailant, Lockdown uses classroom and school security actions to protect students and staff from the threat.

Examples of Lockdown conditions:

• Intruder
   

• Active assailant
   

• Dangerous animal within a school building 
   

• An angry or violent individual in the school building
   

• Report of a weapon

What is the Evacuate action?

Evacuate is called when there is a need to move people from one location to another for safety reasons.

An on-site evacuation is conducted usually because of a mechanical failure that would disrupt the school day, such as a power outage. If it can’t be resolved quickly, the school may have to plan for early dismissal.

An off-site evacuation may be necessary when it’s no longer safe to stay in the building such as a gas leak or bomb threat. In this case, people will be allowed to bring their personal items with them.

If there has been a violent event at the school, an offsite evacuation will almost always be necessary since the school will be deemed a crime scene. People may or may not be able to bring their personal items with them.

Examples of Evacuate conditions:

• Gas leak
   

• Bomb threat
   

• Power outage
   

• Mechanical failure

 

What is the Shelter action?

Shelter is called when specific protective actions are needed based on a threat or hazard. Training should include response to threats such as tornadoes, earth- quakes, hazardous materials situations or other local threats.

Examples of Shelter conditions:

• Severe weather, such as a tornado, strong thunderstorm or flooding
   

• Wildfire
   

• Hazmat spill or release