Incident Management

CALL 9-1-1 WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO

Saint Mary’s College subscribes to the “Run, Hide, Fight” theory of active shooter response. This is the same theory practiced by all Contra Costa County first responders. By teaching and training in the same theory, students, faculty and staff will understand first responder tactics and can react faster to potential threats. The Run, Hide, Fight theory is meant to be a system that allows flexibility depending on the circumstances presented by the threat. It is not meant to be a step by step response, but rather suggested responses depending on the nature of the threat.

If a hostile intruder/active shooter is outside your building:
1. Get to a room that can be locked; close and lock windows and doors
2. Turn off the lights
3. Try to get everyone down on the floor (so that no one is visible from outside the room)
4. Call 911. The Dispatcher will ask for, at least, the following information:

• Your name

• Location of the incident (be as specific as possible)

• Number of shooters (if known)

• Identification or description of shooter

• Number of persons who may be involved

• Your location

5. Stay in place (calls from unfamiliar voices to come out may be the attacker attempting to lure you)
6. Do not respond to any voice commands until you are sure that they come from a Police Officer, or a Public Safety Officer.

If a hostile intruder/active shooter is INSIDE your building:
1. Exit (get out of) the building immediately
2. Notify anyone you may encounter to exit the building immediately
3. Call 911. The Dispatcher will ask for at least the following information:

• Your name

• Location of the incident (be as specific as possible)

• Number of shooters (if known)

• Identification or description of shooter

• Number of persons who may be involved

• Your location

If exiting the building is not possible, the following actions are recommended:
1. Go to the nearest room or office

• If you are locked out of all rooms, seek refuge in the nearest restroom
• lock yourself in a stall and keep quiet

2. Close and lock the door and/or block it (try barricading the door with desks and chairs)
3. Cover the door windows
4. Call 911 (the Dispatcher will gather information from you)
5. Keep quiet and act as if no one is in the room (silence cell phones)
6. DO NOT answer the door
7. Stay in place (calls from unfamiliar voices to come out may be the attacker attempting to lure you)
8. Do not respond to any voice commands until you are sure that they come from a Police Officer, or a Campus Safety & Security Officer

If a hostile intruder/active shooter enters your office or classroom:
1. Remain calm
2. Dial 911 (if you can’t speak, leave the line open so the Dispatcher can listen to what’s taking place)
3. Try to escape, but if unable, you must take action to survive!! Make a quick survival decision, either:
a. Try to negotiate with the hostile intruder/active shooter (perhaps not the most effective measure), or
b. Try to hide; bear in mind that being hidden (i.e. behind a wooden door) is not the same as being covered (i.e. behind a steel door), or
c. Play dead (pretend to be unconscious), or
d. Try to overpower the hostile intruder/active shooter by force (use anything at your disposal and fight for your life); only you can decide if this is something you should do
e. If someone other than yourself acts to overpower the hostile intruder/active shooter it is recommended that you assist, as this will increase the chances of success and survival. Again, only you can decide if this is something you should do

If the hostile intruder/active shooter leaves your area, and as soon as it is safe to do so:
1. Close and lock the door and/or block it (try barricading the door with desks and chairs)
2. Call 911 (if not on the line already)
3. DO NOT answer the door and stay in place behind cover
4. Do not respond to any voice commands until you are sure that they come from a Police Officer, a Public Safety Officer

If you decide to flee during a hostile intruder/active shooter situation:
1. No matter what the circumstances, make sure you have an escape route and plan in mind
2. Do not attempt to carry anything while fleeing
3. Do not attempt to remove injured people (leave wounded victims where they are and notify authorities of their location as soon as possible)
4. Move quickly, keep your hands up high and visible
5. Follow the instructions of any Police Officers you may encounter

What to expect from responding police officers:
Police Officers responding to an active shooter are trained in a procedure known as "Rapid Deployment" and proceed immediately to the area in which shots were last heard. Their purpose is to stop the shooting as quickly as possible. The first officers to arrive will not stop to aid injured people; rescue teams composed of other officers and emergency medical personnel will follow the first officers after areas have been secured to treat and remove injured persons.
Please understand that the police will be treating all those they encounter (including you) as possible suspects. When you encounter the police:

• Remain calm

• Do as the officers tell you

• Put down any bags or packages you may be carrying

• Keep your hands up and visible at all times

• If you know where the hostile intruder/active shooter is, tell the officers

• Once out of harm’s way remain at whatever assembly point authorities designate

• Keep in mind that the entire area is still a crime scene; police will usually not let anyone leave until the situation is fully under control and all witnesses have been identified and questioned

• Do not leave until you have been interviewed and released

In the Event of a Fire:

If you discover a fire on campus, pull the Fire Alarm and Call 911.  You can also contact Public Safety at (925) 631-4282 from any campus phone:

1. Use the Blue Light call boxes located throughout campus, just press the RED button.
2. Remain calm; give your name, location and telephone number, nature and type of emergency. If possible stay on the phone with the officer until directed.

If you see smoke or flames:

Use CARE:

• Contain the fire by closing all doors as you leave
• Activate the nearest Fire Alarm pull station (Pull stations are located near all building exits)
• Evacuate or extinguish (In most cases, it is best to Evacuate)
• Report the fire by dialing 911

 Use a Fire Extinguisher only if:

• You have been trained
• You have your back to an unobstructed exit
• You have a fully charged and proper type unit for the fire you are fighting
• The fire is contained, and you have reported the fire by Fire Alarm or 911 activation
• Everyone else has left the area
• There is little smoke or flames

Never fight a fire if:

• You lack a safe way to escape should your efforts fail
• It has left its source of origin
• You are unsure of the type of extinguisher you need or have
• If you can’t control the fire within 30 seconds, abandon your efforts, close the door(s) and evacuate immediately.

How to use a Fire Extinguisher

Immediate readiness to evacuate is essential. Fire extinguisher should only be used on very small fires and if you feel comfortable using one. Never enter a room that is smoke filled. Never enter a room containing a fire or if the door is warm to the touch.

P - Pull the pin located in the extinguisher's handle.

A - Aim the nozzle, horn, or hose at the base of the fire.

S - Squeeze or press the handles together.

S - Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it is out.

After the fire has been completely extinguished, notify Public Safety at (925) 631-4282.

Small Fire (Wastebasket Size)

Pull the fire alarm and call Public Safety at ext. 4282. Alert people in the area to begin evacuation. Assist those with disabilities.  If you have been trained to use a fire extinguisher, while keeping an exit path available behind you, bring the extinguisher within six feet of the fire.

Large Fire

In the event of a large fire, do not attempt to put out the fire using a fire extinguisher.

Pull the fire alarm and call Public Safety at ext. 4282. Alert people in the area to begin evacuation. Assist those with disabilities.

Close doors to confine the fire.

Move to an outside area away and upwind from the building. Your department may designate an assembly area where everyone can meet.

Have persons knowledgeable about the incident and location assist emergency personnel if asked.

If Trapped in a Room

Place cloth material around/under door to prevent smoke from entering the room.

Close as many doors as possible between you and the fire.

DO NOT open or break windows unless necessary to escape.

Be prepared to signal your location through a window.

If Caught in Smoke

Drop to hands and knees and crawl; hold breath as much as possible; breathe through a filter (blouse, shirt, jacket, etc) and through your nose.

Advancing through Flames

If forced to advance through flame, hold your breath; move quickly; cover head and hair; keep head down and keep eyes closed as much as possible.

Electrical 

Emergencies involving electricity require special care. If you're not careful you could be a victim too. Because the human body is a good conductor of electricity, a person who has received an electrical shock might still have current flowing through their body. Before attempting to treat an electrical burn remember: 

1. Don't touch a victim who is in contact with live current.
2. Shut off electricity at its source. Call Public Safety to cut off main power for your area. 

If you must remove a person from a live current:

• Stand on something dry and use a stick or board to separate the victim from the source of electricity. Don't use anything metal or that is wet.

Once the victim is free from electrical source:

• Call for emergency medical care immediately
• Ensure the victim has an airway and is breathing and treat for shock until emergency medical care arrives.

Resources

Emergency Preparedness

Incident Management Plan