INITIAL RESPONSE

If you find yourself faced with an armed intruder situation, try to remain calm and use the general guidelines outlined below to help make the best plan possible.

Run

Avoid the assailant – if safe to do so:

• Evacuate the immediate areas where the armed intruder(s) are located, and lock down other units
• Call 911 and then call Amost home Kids Operations Director
• Call 911 and then call Amost home Kids Operations Director

Hide

• If running is not an option, try to preserve the safety of patients, visitors and yourself
• Shelter in place – seek to hide in a room with thick walls and limited windows
• Secure entryways or rooms by locking door(s) and securing with available furniture/equipment
• Keep quiet

Fight

• Defend yourself and patients - as a last resort
• Attempt to disrupt or subdue the armed intruder, using available items, such as a stapler, laptop, phone, fire extinguisher, etc.

SECONDARY RESPONSE

& FOLLOW UP

Upon hearing an “Armed Intruder” overhead notification, being informed of or witnessing an armed intruder, staff should consider the following actions:

• Move all patients, families, visitors, and other staff to a safe location (patient room, supply room, soiled utility room, employee lounge, employee office)
• Shut, lock, and block the door with heavy objects
• Remain calm and silent; silence all pagers and cell phones
• Turn off lights, close privacy curtains, and stay away from windows in safe location
• Formulate an action plan if suspect(s) were to enter safe location
• Spread out in safe location if more than one person is present there
• If an overhead paging system is present, listen for “Armed Intruder Incident All-Clear” overhead announcement before leaving your safe location. Otherwise wait until a uniformed police officer provides an “all clear” before you leave your safe location. This may take a while.