One of the most important crises that an educational facility may encounter is one involving a potentially violent intruder. Since these incidents unfold quickly and without warning, it is essential that schools have clear response procedures in place. These kinds of situations are uncommon in Australia, yet they still call for readiness and awareness. The goal of this blog is to provide a comprehensive overview of the key tactics for handling intruder threats in schools, with a focus on readiness and quick response.

Understanding the Threat

A potential intruder threat may take many different forms, including as direct or indirect threats against the school, suspicious behavior on the part of people, or growing custody conflicts. There isn't a single reaction strategy that works for all situations because these occurrences are erratic. Instead, in order to handle various eventualities, schools must create thorough and adaptable Emergency Management Plans (EMP).

Immediate Response: Evacuation vs. Lockdown

The main choice that needs to be made in the event of an intruder danger is whether to flee or to declare a lockdown and remain inside. If there is time, the principal of the school or another responsible party should make this decision in consultation with the police. The safety and preservation of life must come first in any chosen course of action.

Evacuation Considerations:

• Recognize your location and the EMP's established evacuation routes.
• Keep your cell phone with you but leave all personal belongings behind as you evacuate right away.
• Shut doors behind you, but do not lock them.
• When you are approached by police, make sure your hands are up and visible.
• Help persons with impairments find the closest exit.
• Be mindful of every student and remain composed.

Lockdown and Shelter-in-Place:

• If gunfire is heard, initiate lockdown immediately without waiting for an announcement.
• Seek shelter in rooms that can be locked or barricaded.
• Turn off lights, silence mobile phones, and stay out of sight below window height.
• Huddle together in the farthest corner from the door to minimize exposure.
• Allocate staff to guard locked doors and allow identified individuals to enter if safe.

During the Intrusion

To ensure safety in the event of an intruder entering the premises, certain protocols need to be adhered to:

• Avoid confronting, arguing with, or threatening the intruder.
• Presume the trespasser is armed and hostile.
• When questioned, respond appropriately and don't move abruptly.
• Make an effort to draw the intruder's focus away from the personnel and students.

After the Intrusion

Following the intruder's departure, the following actions should be performed to secure the building and offer the required assistance:

• Establish a central meeting place for the police and EMS.
• In order to stop re-entry, secure outside doors.
• Keep an eye on any weapons until the police arrive.
• Make sure nobody handles anything that could be the invader's.
• Within a day, notify the appropriate authorities, such as the Department of Education and Training (DET) if you require early childhood assistance.

Long-Term Recovery and Support

Careful management is needed following an intruder incident to address the psychological effects on students, staff, and families:

• Together with qualified clinicians, create a psychosocial recovery strategy.
• Continually update and assist the school community.
• Assist employees with expert support, and notify law enforcement of any additional threats.
• As you endeavor to restore normalcy, give careful consideration to the needs of individuals impacted.

Conclusion

In any emergency, the staff and kids' safety and wellbeing come first. Schools can better prepare for and respond to intruder threats by having a strong and adaptable emergency management plan. To guarantee that schools continue to be secure places for learning, cooperation with law enforcement, open communication, and ongoing training are essential.

Using cutting-edge resources like the Wihkum app can improve school safety in addition to these precautions. Wihkum's real-time emergency response features enable personnel to notify authorities promptly and efficiently during a crisis. With its capabilities, which include location tracking, immediate notifications, and a direct line to emergency services, schools are guaranteed to be able to react quickly and effectively to any threat posed by intruders. Schools can greatly enhance their readiness and security measures by including Wihkum into their safety procedures, putting the preservation of life above all else.