Emergencies on Campus: Do you know what to do?
By SABRINA BRADEY, MACINSIDERS
I'm not a superstitious person but I'll knock on wood if it means that McMaster is never witness to the tragedies that have plagued some North American college and university campuses. School shootings have been increasing in recent years and it's become a reality that we all have to contend with. We're a small and relatively happy campus here in Hamilton but we are not immune to the possibility and we need to know how to react if there ever was to be an active shooter on our campus.
So, do you know what to do?
You don't do you? And that's the problem; many of us don't know what to do. Starting this September 2008, Security Services is going to be educating the McMaster Community on what to do in a "Lockdown" situation.
Returning students may have noticed that there are new Lockdown signs in all of the classrooms and if you look closely you will also notice that on the inside of all the doors in the classrooms there are labels with the building abbreviation and room number that you are in.
The Lockdown signs give some crucial quick facts about what to do in a lockdown situation. If you ever find yourself in a Lockdown do the following:
* Exit the building if it is safe to do so
If you are unable to leave:
* Close, lock and barricade the door
* Cover the windows
* Turn off the lights
* Lay on the floor, under furniture if possible
* Pretend the room is empty
* DO NOT answer the door
* Wait for Police or Security Services to assist you out of the building.
The idea of a Lockdown is to minimize the amount of victims accessible to the shooter or threat. If you find yourself in a class room you must make it seem as if no one is in there, but prevent the door from being able to be opened. During a Lockdown there will be sirens going off around campus and speakers notifying everyone on and around campus that there is a Lockdown in effect.
If you are in a building or around campus and you see an incident (no matter what degree of severity) you should report it to Security Services by dialling 88 on any campus phone, calling 905.522.4135 (which you should program into your cell if you have one) or by extension 24281. If you see a shooter make sure you get to a safe place before you call and tell them the following:
* Who you are
* Where you are and who is with you
* What the shooter looks like
* Where the shooter was headed when you last saw them
* Whether anyone is hurt or not.
Now you may be wondering why there are labels on the inside of the door telling you what room and building you are in. If you’re in there you should know where you are right? But what about when there chaos surrounding you and you’re terrified? Could you swear that you’d remember where you are? What about new students who aren’t yet familiar with the campus or people who are visiting? McMaster hosts myriads of conferences each year and houses hundreds of guests who aren’t as familiar with the campus as regular students are. These people, even in their calmest state of mind, may not remember where they are. By having these labels we can direct the callers attention to them so that they can tell us where they are. They may not understand what GSB- 101 means but we will and that is what matters most.
For all of you entering a Residence this September you will find your mailbox a Student Emergency pamphlet with all of this information and more regarding any emergencies that can happen on campus. It covers power outages, how to get help for someone having mental difficulties, weather emergencies (like a snow day or a natural disaster), evacuations, and of course a lockdown.
Naturally everyone should be reading these pamphlets to familiarize themselves with the procedures and at least keep them in a handy spot for reference, but that’s not to say that you should walk around campus expecting the sky to fall on top of your head at any moment. We create precautions because it’s wiser to be prepared than to blindly believe that nothing bad will ever happen.
An added incentive to read and know the Student Emergency pamphlet is the fact that Security Services is offering two (2) $100.00 certificates to Titles Bookstore upon the successful completion of our Student Emergency Education Survey. What do I mean? If you read the pamphlet, go to the Student Emergency Education Survey online and answer all of the questions correctly you are automatically entered to win. Who would say no to an easy hundred dollars for your textbooks?
I rest my case.
As I mentioned earlier: these emergency precautions are not in place to scare you but to save your life and the lives of others should a situation arise where we have to put these precautions into action. Read the pamphlet, know the facts, and maybe win some money!
If you have questions check out
www.mcmaster.ca/security
