Code BLACK – Personal Threat
Missing person / student
Upon report of a missing student
- Establish the missing person’s name, a clear description, any distinguishing features, location where last seen and any other critical or useful information.
- Notify the Chief Warden.
Assault
If you witness an assault:
- Phone 000 in an emergency situation, requesting appropriate emergency attendance.
- Contact the Health Centre (if open). Obtain or provide First Aid support.
- Call Reception on ext 800 and provide details of the assault as soon as possible.
- Ensure the injured person does not wash, shower, change clothes or clean up in any way until after obtaining medical assistance and talking to the Police as this could destroy vital evidence.
- Try to remember everything you can about the attack to provide a clear account of what happened to the Police.
- Reassure the victim until Police, Ambulance or other support arrives.
- Lodge the incident in Tickit on Demand.
If you are assaulted yourself, remember that you have nothing to feel guilty or ashamed about. Police Officers are aware that a person who has been assaulted is likely to be suffering from emotional shock. They will do all they can to make things as easy as possible for you.
Armed or unarmed hold-up / intrusion / civil disorder
If confronted by an armed or unarmed intruder
- Obey the instructions.
- Try to remain calm and avoid staring directly at any weapon.
- Do not take any action to agitate the intruder.
- Hand over cash/valuables on request.
- Take a mental note of descriptive information, including:
- Head – hair, complexion, eyes, scars, facial hair, speech
- Body – build, shirt, arms, tattoos, weapons
- Legs – pants, shoes
- Mannerisms
- Exit – height, direction of travel, vehicle
- Contact Police by dialling 000.
- Contact Management and Chief Warden, who may initiate a Lockdown.
- Complete the Offender Check List.
Active shooter
ESCAPE – move quickly and quietly away from danger, but only if it is safe to do so.
- Be aware of your surroundings. If you see a commotion, hear screams, gunfire or loud noises, try to identify where it is coming from. If you think it is dangerous, consider what you can do to stay safe.
- If you see a safe route, ESCAPE and leave the area immediately.
- Take your mobile phone with you if you can, but do not go back to get it if it puts you in danger.
- Leave your other belongings behind.
- Encourage others to go with you, but don’t let their hesitation slow you down.
- Try to stop others from entering the area, but only if it doesn’t put you in any danger.
HIDE – stay out of sight and silence your mobile phone.
- If you are unable to escape, or are unsure if it’s safe to do so, HIDE.
- Silence your mobile phone and other devices and turn off vibrate.
- Secure your environment by locking doors and windows and barricading entries.
- Move away from doors and be as quiet and still as possible so you do not give away your hiding place.
- Be aware of your exits.
- A safe hiding spot in an armed offender situation is one that puts a sturdy physical barrier between yourself and the offender.
- Constantly review the situation and your options based on your surroundings.
- If you come across any injured people while hiding, providing first aid may help save their lives. But only help if it does not put yourself and others at risk.
- Do not move closer to see what is happening – this may put you at risk.
- Consider looking for something you can use to defend yourself as a last resort if you are found by the offender.
Refer also to the Lockdown procedure.
TELL – call the Police by dialling 000 when it is safe.
- Call the police by dialling 000 but never at the risk of your own safety or the safety of others.
- The more information you can give about your location, surroundings, the attackers and the events that have occurred, the better.
- You may be asked to stay on the line and provide further information that the operator requests or if the situation changes.
- If it is safe to do so, think about obtaining the following information:
- exact location of the incident
- description of the offender/s and whether they are moving in any particular direction
- any mannerisms you observe
- details of any weapons being used
- any items the offender has touched
- number of people in the area and any that have been injured
- the motive or intent of the offender/s (if known).
When police arrive
In an attack involving guns, a police officer’s priority is to protect lives. Remember:
- At first police officers may not be able to distinguish you from the gunman.
- Police officers may be armed and may point guns at you.
- They may move past you in search of the gunman.
- Avoid quick movements or shouting and keep your hands in view.
- Follow any instructions given by emergency services personnel.
Source: “Active Shooter Guidelines for Places of Mass Gathering” – Australia-New Zealand Counter- Terrorism Committee.