Wikwemikong Board of Education
General Administration
237 – Hold and Secure, Evacuation, and Shelter in Place
Legal References:
Related References: Education Act: Section 265 (1) (j) Duties of Principal: Care of
Pupils; Guideline - Ontario Schools Code of Conduct;
Occupational Health and Safety Act
Policy References:
WBE 230 Access to School Premises; WBE 238 Bomb Threats;
WBE 239 Inclement Weather; WBE 236 Lockdown Procedures;
WBE 311 - Medically at Risk Students; WBE 319 - Search and
Seizure; WBE 419 - Violence Prevention in the Workplace;
WBE 416 - Workplace Hazard Notification & Investigation; WBE
418 - Refusing Unsafe Work; WBE 205 - Student Transportation;
Police/Board Protocol (TBDeveloped); Provincial Model for a
Local Police/School Board Protocol – 2015 – with Appendices,
Ontario Chiefs of Police Report, June 2009.
1. Purpose
1.1. This procedure provides guidelines to school principals in developing plans to
deal with occasions when a hold and secure, school evacuation, or shelter in
place is appropriate.
2. Hold and Secure
2.1. “Hold and Secure” will be used when it is desirable to secure the school due to
an ongoing situation outside and not related to the school (e.g. armed individual
evading police within the community).
2.2. If “Hold and Secure” is required the principal will make the following
announcement:
“We are entering a Hold and Secure situation, please follow the Hold and
Secure procedures.”
2.3. In this situation, the school continues to function normally, with the exterior
doors being locked until such time as the situation near the school is resolved.
2.4. No-one is permitted to leave or enter the building.
Drafted: May 1, 2015, Revised January 8, 2015
Presented to Board: January 9, 2016
Board Approval: 14/01/2016 – WBE#10-2016
Review Date:
Reviewed:
© Wikwemikong Board of Education, 2016
3. Evacuation
3.1. Schools may have to be evacuated due to emergencies such as a chemical spill,
bomb threat, etc.
3.2. In all cases of an emergency requiring off-site evacuation and relocation, the
principal or designate will promptly notify the Director of Education and, if
appropriate, call 911.
3.3. School emergency off-site evacuation and relocation procedures shall include the
name and phone number of the relocation site; procedures for walking or bus
transportation; procedures for staff in charge of leading the classes to the site;
procedures for the dismissal of students from the relocation site; and follow-up,
debriefing and communication requirements.
3.4. If a school evacuation is required, the principal will make the following
announcement:
“We need to evacuate the building, please follow the evacuation procedures.”
4. Evacuation Procedures
4.1. Classroom Teachers
4.1.1. Take class attendance before leaving your classroom
4.1.2. Take class list with you to evacuation site
4.1.3. Exit the building through your assigned fire exit
4.1.4. Walk with your class in an orderly manner to your school’s evacuation site.
4.1.5. Take attendance upon arrival at the evacuation site.
4.1.6. Report discrepancies to Principal.
4.2 Staff/Teachers without a class
4.2.1 Assist colleagues with special needs students requiring help exiting the
building.
4.2.2 Assist with prompt evacuation of building.
4.2.3 Walk with the students to the evacuation site.
4.2.4 Report to Principal for further directions
Drafted: May 1, 2015, Revised January 8, 2015
Presented to Board: January 9, 2016
Board Approval: 14/01/2016 – WBE#10-2016
Review Date:
Reviewed:
© Wikwemikong Board of Education, 2016
5. Shelter in Place
5.1. WBE schools may be used as community shelters during events such as severe
snow storms, tornadoes, and other unforeseen events.
5.2. If Shelter in Place is required, the principal or designate will make the following
announcement:
“We are currently in a Shelter in Place situation. Please follow the Shelter
in Place procedures.”
5.3 In this situation, everyone is to stay inside the school and the doors are not
locked. No one is to leave the building but outsiders are permitted to come in.
Drafted: May 1, 2015, Revised January 8, 2015
Presented to Board: January 9, 2016
Board Approval: 14/01/2016 – WBE#10-2016
Review Date:
Reviewed:
© Wikwemikong Board of Education, 2016