G-LOCK Lockdowns Part 2

Responding to a School Fire Alarm during a Lockdown

• Crews should consider indicators of a possible school lockdown during size up, including:
  • Absence of students or faculty on school grounds or property
  • Windows with blinds pulled
  • Entrance doors locked
  • Classroom and hallway lights turned off
  • No persons visible inside the building
  • Increased police activity in the area
  • Parents/adults at the outer perimeter (later stages)
• If it becomes apparent the school is under lockdown, the crew should:
  • Immediately move away and stage at a safe distance
  • Notify communications and ask for further updates from TPS
  • Update the TFS Communications Centre with observations and Command Post/Staging Area Location
• During full lockdown, if signs of fire are obvious, the TFS Incident Commander should fully assess risk prior to advancing

School Signage/Locators

• All four publicly funded schools will have signage located above the doors on the interior and exterior:
  • Main entrance door marked as door number 1 with a 12” x 12” yellow sign on the exterior and a different color with red lettering on the interior
  • Doors marked clockwise from the main entrance
  • Secondary doors marked with alpha numeric identifiers (1a, 1b, 1c) and are means of egress only

Lockdowns in Other Facilities

• Lockdowns may occur in facilities other than schools
• TFS personnel should abide by the guidelines for all such situations
• Hospitals in Ontario use the following terms to indicate they are in lockdown:
  • Code Silver – Person with a weapon
  • Code Black – Bomb Threat/Suspicious Object
  • Code Purple – Hostage Taking
  • Code White – Violent/Behavioral Situation

Learn how to respond to a school fire alarm during a lockdown situation, including indicators to consider before entering the school.