A Lock Down goes into effect during emergency situations where there is an incident that poses an immediate threat of violence in or around campus, or other emergencies that require occupants to seek immediate protection to help ensure their safety. A lock down is a serious situation, and it is important to understand how a lock down is different than a shelter-in-place.

Preparation: Familiarize yourself with the buildings you frequent; take note of certain features that may provide protection, such as rooms in the interior of a building, areas that are not exposed to glass, and areas not in an open space. While making these assessments, you should consider two key factors: cover and concealment.

Cover is anything that creates a protective barrier between you and the threat. Cover is typically best found using large, solid, dense material that will mitigate projectiles or shrapnel. Examples of cover may be a cinder block wall, thick solid furniture, or a large tree. Cover protects you.

Concealment is anything that creates a visual barrier between you and the threat. Concealment is typically best found using anything that will provide the most material to hide with. Examples of concealment may be a curtain, thin composite furniture, or a bush/shrubbery. Concealment hides you.

The faculty should review lock down procedures during the first week of classes, with each of their classes.

Activation: A lock down is typically signaled by an emergency notification via mass notification system instructing you to lock down.

Action: You must quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. No guidance contained here will ever be able to capture all the circumstances and conditions you may face. In every situation, common sense and awareness of your own personal safety should take precedence over any action described here.

When a lock down is activated, remember Run, Hide, Fight, Comply.

• Run: If you have an opportunity where there is a clearly visible and readily available exit, and you feel it is safe to do so, evacuate the building. If you run, have an escape route and plan in mind, leave your belongings behind, warn others not to enter the area, keep your hands empty and visible with your fingers spread to show you aren’t carrying anything, and follow the instructions of police. Do not pull the fire alarm as a warning, or to initiate an evacuation and do not use elevators. Once you are outside, stay away from open areas, and use available terrain and other suitable objects as cover. When you reach safety, you can call 911.
• Hide: When a lock down is activated, and you are in an open or unsecured place, and you believe the threat is nearby, you should proceed to the nearest room and close the door. Lock the door, if possible, but if the door cannot be locked, use heavy, solid objects to barricade the door. If it is safe to do so, turn off the lights and close any blinds. Move to a safe area inside your room, consider all doorway and window locations when establishing the safe area. Remain out of sight from exposed windows and doors. Stay put and stay tuned. Place your phone on silent but keep it on to monitor emergency notifications.

Should a fire alarm be activated during a lock down, and the “All Clear” has not been issued, do not evacuate unless you observe clear and obvious signs of a fire.

• Fight: As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt or incapacitate the threat. Act as aggressively as possible against them, work together to incapacitate the threat, throw items and use improvised weapons, and commit to your actions.
• Comply: When law enforcement arrives, remain as calm as you can to focus on their instructions. Empty your hands of any objects and spread your fingers, raise your hands up with palms out for responding officers; always keep your hands visible. Refrain from quick movements, and do not approach officers without first being instructed to. Officers may shout commands, pat you down, or physically move you in order to maintain control of the incident. Follow their instructions exactly. This is an important process to cooperate with and not adhering to officers’ instructions puts everyone at risk.

All Clear: You may be released by law enforcement or other emergency personnel. Once it is deemed safe to resume normal activities, an “All Clear” message will be communicated.