In a lockdown, all personnel are to secure themselves in a room, denying entry to their area until authorities determine the building to be safe. Examples of situations which may require lockdown include an active shooter, or sighting of someone with a gun or weapon on campus, a serious crime in progress on campus or in very close proximity, or pursuit of a dangerous suspect by law enforcement personnel. Lockdown will be initiated by broadcast on the campus public address system, transmitted by telephone, e-mail, or text message, or by a combination of these methods. A lockdown may also be initiated locally, without notification, if dangerous circumstances exist in a particular area which are not yet known to campus authorities.
When the order for a lockdown is given, the following procedures are to be implemented immediately:
IF YOU ARE IN A CLASSROOM, LABORATORY, OR OFFICE
- Immediately close and lock the door. If the door cannot be locked, wedge or barricade it in a manner that will prevent it from opening. Once closed, do not open the door for anyone.
- Turn off lights and close or cover any windows.
- Move away from doors and windows. Remain out of sight by hiding under or behind furniture or other solid objects. Stay as close to the floor as possible.
- Silence all cell phones. Call 911 if safe to do so and notify them of the situation and provide any information you have about the incident and any suspects. Tell the emergency operator where you are located, and how many people are with you.
- Instructors or supervisors should record attendance within the room if possible without attracting attention, by name if possible, but at minimum by making a head count. This will help ensure everyone is accounted for once the situation is resolved.
- Do not leave the room, unless it becomes unsafe to stay there. Wait quietly in your location until law enforcement and/or campus officials notify you it is safe to leave. This could take several hours, depending on the circumstances.
IF YOU ARE IN HALLWAYS OR OTHER COMMON AREAS:
- Immediately enter an open room and follow the procedure described above. Do not expect people in barricaded rooms to allow you inside. If you cannot find an open room, seek any available object that will provide concealment.
- Silence cell phones. Call 911 if safe to do so and notify them of the situation and provide any information you have about the incident and any suspects. Tell the emergency operator where you are located, and how many people are with you.
- Remain in your concealed location until law enforcement and/or campus officials notify you it is safe to leave, unless it becomes unsafe to stay there.
IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE OF A BUILDING:
- Hide behind any substantial object: cars, trees, rocks, etc. Stay where you are unless it becomes unsafe.
- Do not approach the buildings. If you can safely leave the area, do so, keeping obstructions between you and the building(s) as much as possible.
- Call 911 if safe to do so and notify them of the situation and provide any information you have about the incident and any suspects. Tell the emergency operator where you are located, and if other people are with you.
IN ALL CASES, WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVES:
- Follow instructions.
- Keep your hands up and visible. Do not point toward people or objects, and do not make sudden movements.
- Stay close to the ground until instructed to stand up.
Following a lockdown, an all-clear signal will be delivered using the same method(s) as the original alert.
ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION
WSU teaches a Run, Hide, Fight protocol in the event of an active shooter situation. Should you find yourself in this situation, you alone must assess and determine which option will provide the greatest degree of security.
Alert, Assess, Act: If you become aware of an active shooter threat, assess your situation and choose the best action:
RUN: Evacuate If Possible
- Assess your situation.
- If you can escape, quickly evacuate from the building and call 911 from a safe location.
- Leave your belongings behind.
- Help others escape if possible, but do not stay behind if others will not go.
FIGHT: If you cannot run or hide, and are located by the attacker, take action to disrupt or incapacitate the shooter
- As a last resort, and only if your life is in danger, you may choose to fight.
- Take action to incapacitate the shooter.
- Act with physical aggression against the shooter.
- Commit to your actions- your life depends on it.
- Do not pick up the attacker’s weapon. Kick it away, sit on it, do whatever is necessary to keep it from the attacker, but do not pick it up. Responding police will identify anyone with a weapon as a potential threat.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
In an emergency situation at WSU Everett, one of three responses will typically be advised by campus administration and local emergency responders. These are:
Evacuation
Lockdown
Shelter In Place
Register here for campus emergency alerts. These alerts cover emergency situations at Everett Community College. WSU Everett is located on the EvCC campus, so these alerts apply to WSU Everett. Click ‘Register’ in the upper-right quadrant. An online identification from WSU or EvCC is not required.