Changes have been made to school emergency procedures in the Kenora district.
All of the terminology has been changed.
Provincial Police constable Jason Canfield says there are three responses.
Canfield says a ‘Lockdown School’ is the highest level of emergency and replaces a Code Red.
‘Secure School’ is the Medium Level Response, while ‘Shelter in Place’ is the Low Level Response.
Here is more information surrounding the new terminology:
1. Lockdown School-High Level Response
This is the highest level of response to a threat. Staff call 911, and everyone must remain silent, out of sight, with the lights off, and behind locked doors. Once police arrive, they take command of the school and direct the response. Once the school is released from Lockdown, a Secure School procedure is put in place.
Possible causes include but are not limited to:
-An intruder is suspected to be a possible threat to staff and student life or safety.
-Imminent danger is present on the school site and safety of all is threatened.
-Any other circumstance where the school principal needs to ensure student safety.
2. Secure School-Medium Level Response
This will be initiated when a potential threat exists inside or outside of the building. Staff and students must remain inside their classrooms with the doors closed and locked. All exterior school doors and windows will also be locked. Students who are outside the building or their classroom will be directed to the closest safe area of the building.
Possible causes include but are not limited to:
-Emergency situation inside the school where people moving around might prevent authorities from doing their job (police, fire, medical).
-Incident involving emergency response close to the school (traffic accident with serious injuries).
-An intruder is suspected to be a possible threat to staff or student safety.
-Possible medical situation where the school principal needs to ensure student safety.
-Investigation of a bomb threat, but immediate evacuation is not required.
3. Shelter in Place-Low Level Response
This will be initiated when a potential threat exists outside of the building. Staff and students must remain inside the locked school for safety reasons. Students who are outside will be brought inside immediately.
Possible causes include but are not limited to:
-Extreme weather (hailstorm, severe lightning, etc).
-Environmental issue (forest fire, gas leak, threatening wildfire, etc).
-Incident involving emergency response close to the school (traffic accident with serious injuries).
-Possible threatening situation which has not yet been investigated or confirmed.
-Any other circumstance where the school principal needs to ensure student safety.
