G-LOCK Lockdowns Part 1

Study Notes

The Toronto Police Service has worked with Toronto school boards to adopt school lockdown procedures in response to serious threats to student and faculty safety.

Initiated in response to an internal threat (e.g., a person within the school posing a threat)
Objective is to remain out of sight and out of mind
Inner and outer perimeters are established by the Police
Teachers and staff lock their classroom doors and cover windows if possible
Teachers and staff do not open the door once it is locked
Any teacher or staff member can initiate a lockdown

Initiated in response to a hostile event occurring near the school (e.g., police activity in the area)
Normal operations continue within the school, but there is no movement from inside to outside (e.g., portables)
All exterior doors are locked
Hold and Secure can only be released by the Toronto Police
Toronto Fire Services can request a school be placed in a Hold and Secure through the Toronto Police if an incident is considered graphic in nature

Initiated in response to an environmental threat in the area (e.g., fire, hazmat incident)
Considered a precautionary measure
Normal operations continue within the school
All exterior doors are locked

Initiated in response to a reported or suspected bomb threat
Principals ask staff to give a visual scan of their area
Teachers and staff have the authority to decide if an evacuation is required given the circumstances

If an evacuation is required, every school has a pre-determined evacuation site (e.g., another school, community center, church)
TFS Personnel must abide by outer perimeters established by the Police
TFS incoming crews report to the established Command Post for instructions
After the scene is secured, the area is considered a crime scene, and entry is controlled by the Police

Apparatus dispatched to an incident involving a known or reported school lockdown should approach the area with lights and sirens off
The Company Officer confirms the location of the staging area and reports to it via travel advisories provided by communications
Do not respond directly to the school address under lockdown
If a staging area has not been established, the first arriving apparatus stages at a safe distance, advises incoming crews of the staging area, and contacts the Toronto Police on site

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