Active Threat Event 


In the event of an emergency

In the event of an emergency requiring police, fire, or ambulance, dial 911 immediately.

Abusive or Threatening behavior 

The following procedures are meant as a guideline for dealing with abusive or threatening behavior.  

  • Do not put yourself in harm’s way. Call Security so they can assess the situation and respond to the abusive or threatening situation. If Security is not available, call a nearby ²ÝÁñÉçÇø staff person and call 911 immediately. 
  • Security will manage the threat or request assistance from the appropriate department. 
  • Security will immediately call for assistance or police if the threat is escalating.  
  • Police intervention may be required for incidents of a very serious nature. Do not hesitate to call 911.

If you find yourself in the midst of a threatening situation that could become a physical altercation, there are a few de-escalation techniques that can help defuse the situation:  

Talk calmly and try to reason with the other person.

Ask why they are upset, listen to their perspective, and ask them how you can help. 

Show empathy and understanding.  

People are more likely to respond positively if they feel understood and respected. 

Maintain a safe distance from the other person.

Try to stay more than an arm’s length away so you have time to avoid any attempts by them to strike. 

Look for opportunities to escape.  

Try and position yourself so the threat is not between you and an escape route. If the situation becomes violent, try to run away or seek help from bystanders or law enforcement.  

Active Shooter 

If you hear gunfire or see someone with a gun or weapon. 

Run

If you can get away without being noticed, do so immediately.

Hide

If you can't get away safely then take cover, hide, and stay quiet.

Fight

If you are detected and are face-to-face with the shooter then do whatever you can to fight back.

If you find yourself in a hiding spot, then: 

  • Take cover in an area where you cannot be seen. 
  • Lock and barricade doors. 
  • Turn off lights. 
  • Turn off audio equipment and silence cell phones. 
  • Close blinds or curtains. 
  • Keep calm, quiet, and out of sight. 
  • Take cover behind concrete walls, furniture, solid object etc. 
  • Keep the classroom or office secure until the police, security, or facilities personnel arrive and give directions. Follow the directions precisely as given. 
  • Call 911 if you feel it is safe to do so. 

 

Additional safety tips

If you are caught in an open or exposed area and you cannot get into a classroom or office, then the following course of action can be taken: 

  • Hiding – look for a safe and secure hiding area. Once in place, try to remain calm. Stay hidden until you can contact emergency personnel. 
  • Running – If you decide to run, do not run in a straight line. Attempt to keep objects (trees, vehicles, trash cans, etc.) between you and the hostile person. When away from immediate area of danger, summon help and warn others. 
  • Playing Dead – If an intruder is causing death or physical injury to others and you are unable to run or hide you may choose to assume a prone position and lay as still as possible. 

If you are caught by the intruder, obey all commands and avoid eye contact with the intruder. 

Bomb Threats

Any call to ²ÝÁñÉçÇø threatening the use of a “bomb” will be treated seriously and investigated immediately by Safety & Security.

Do not touch any suspicious objects and call ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Security immediately.  

Record as much information as possible about the bomb threat call, including: 

  • Telephone number on which the call was received. 
  • Time the call was received. 
  • Exact words of the person making the call. 
  • Voice (child or adult voice; male or female voice; any accent in the voice; whether or not the voice is familiar). 
  • Approximate age. 
  • Noises (any background noises including traffic, music, etc.). 

Obtain as much information as possible from the source of the bomb threat, including: 

  • Time of explosion, type of bomb, location of bomb, reason why bomb was placed, appearance of bomb (and/or packaging), name of caller. 
  • Call Security; provide all details obtained, speaking calmly and deliberately to the Security guard. 
  • Quickly look around your area for suspicious objects but touch nothing. If you notice suspicious objects in your area inform Security.  
  • If the threat is received by note or letter, take it to Security immediately. 

Classroom emergency preparedness and response 

All ²ÝÁñÉçÇø employees are responsible for demonstrating leadership before and during any emergency by being informed about the safety procedures and sharing that information with students. Most students will look to their instructors for direction during an emergency.  

The following information outlines basic emergency preparedness and response procedures for a classroom situation. 

Before an emergency 

  • Know the building evacuation routes. Plan exit routes which do not use elevators. Refer to the evacuation plans posted in hallways.  

  • Know the outside assembly area for your classroom, identified on the evacuation plan and the campus map. 

  • Further information including assisted evacuation areas is available in the evacuation plans.  

  • Contact Security or Facilities for additional information, questions, or concerns regarding evacuation routes. 

During an emergency

Fire 

  • If a fire is sighted or the fire alarm sounded, evacuate the building immediately and assemble outside with your students at the Designated Assembly Area (DAA).  

  • Anyone evacuating the building after hours (11pm to 7am) must leave out through the nearest exit and then meet at the assembly area in front of the campus to wait for instructions.

Earthquake

  • Remain calm and take cover underneath a desk or table and hold on.  

  • Keep away from windows. Stay in place. Do not go outside. Be prepared for aftershocks. Wait and follow instructions from Security and/or Facilities.  

Other situations requiring evacuation

  • You will be directed by ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Security or Facilities, or emergency response personnel to evacuate.  

  • Exit immediately out the nearest safe exit, go to the assembly area. and wait for further instructions. 

After evacuation 

  • Account for coworkers in your department or the students in your class.  

  • If you have evacuated some distance from your department’s nearest assembly area, try to inform your department of your location and situation if possible. 

  • Notify emergency response personnel and Security at the scene if you have information about the emergency situation, if you are aware that some individuals remained in the building (i.e. in evacuation areas, or who are injured), or if you know that some individuals are unaccounted for. 

  • Keep roads/walkways clear for emergency vehicles.  

Crime in progress 

Do not attempt to stop or interfere with a crime in progress. If safe to do so, get a good description of the perpetrator. Note the person’s: 

  • Height, sex, approximate age, weapon possessed, weight, skin and hair colour, clothing, name (if known). 

  • Method and direction of travel (license plate number, make, model and year of vehicle; colour; and any outstanding characteristics). 

  • Call ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Security. Give your name, location, and department. Advise them of the situation and remain where you are until contacted by Security. 

Call Security if you observe any of the following suspicious signs: 

  • A scream or call for help 

  • A broken window 

  • An unfamiliar person doing any of the following: 

  • Loitering on or about campus 

  • Trying to break into a car 

  • Repeatedly driving on or about campus 

  • Driving on the grass or other inappropriate areas 

  • Breaking into a locker, office or other secure area (such as bike compound)