Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
The Big Five
In order to better align with San Mateo School District and the emergency plans that have been
reviewed and endorsed by all San Mateo County's Police Chiefs and Sheriff Commanders, Mercy High
School will be adopting the Big Five emergency response protocol.
The Big Five refers to five immediate action responses that can be taken by the school depending on the
emergency scenario. A summary of the Big 5 responses can be found below:
ACTION
Drop, Cover, and Hold On
DESCRIPTION
Implement during an earthquake or explosion to protect
building occupants from flying and falling debris
Evacuation
Implement when conditions outside the building or off-site
are safer than inside or on-site. Requires the orderly
movement of students and staff from school buildings to a
pre-determined safe location
Lockdown/ Barricade
Initiate for an immediate threat of danger to occupants of a
campus or school building and when any movement will put
students and staff in jeopardy. Once implemented, no one is
allowed to enter or exit rooms for any reason unless
directed by law enforcement
Secure Campus
Initiate for a potential threat of danger in the surrounding
community. All classroom/ office doors are closed and
locked and all students and staff remain inside until
otherwise directed. Instruction continues as planned. No
visitors are allowed inside the building.
Shelter in Place
Implement to isolate students and staff from the outdoor
environment and provide greater protection from external
airborne contaminants or wildlife. Close windows and air
vents and shut down air conditioning/ heating units
All faculty and staff members of Mercy high School are expected to familiarize themselves with the
above Big Five action responses and to be prepared to perform assigned responsibilities. If a faculty or
staff member is not confident in his or her abilities to perform emergency responsibilities it is his or her
duty to immediately notify the administration in order to ensure for the safety of all students and
community members.
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
The following pages outline each of the Big Five in more detail. In regards to Mercy High School’s
protocol, the Assistant Principal of Student Life will serve as the School Incident Commander.
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGY
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Buddy Teacher- Teacher who assists another teacher in emergencies and who takes
over duties if his/her buddy teacher is unable to perform all duties.. Buddy teachers are
pre-assigned to Mercy employees via the advisory list.
Evacuation A Site- The Green in front of Kohl Mansion
Evacuation B Site- Meadow behind Lake Lot
Go-Pack- Red bag in each room that must be taken during any emergency and
evacuation. This bag contains first aid supplies and student rosters
Pre-determined Classroom Location- Pre-determined classroom locations are those
classrooms that Mercy staff have designated and communicated to their students as
relocation sites in the case that they are outside when an emergency occurs.
Pre-determined Safe Site- Pre-determined safe sites are those locations that Mercy
staff and students can relocate to in order to be off the Mercy Campus and in safety.
These sites will be shared with staff each year. OLA and Lincoln Elementary serve as predetermined safe sites for Mercy High School.
Relocation- Movement of students and staff from place they were in when emergency
occurred to a new area that is more safe
Sum of Nine- Emergency protocol and safety measure that is to be taken by faculty and
staff when first responders attempt to enter a locked classroom. In order to ensure that
the person requesting entry is in fact a San Mateo County emergency responder the
faculty/staff member should call out a number, and the person outside the door should
yell back another number that when added to the first number equals nine. For
example, if a staff member yells 5, the person outside the door should yell 4. If a
number is yelled back that does not equal nine the faculty/staff member shall not open
the door.
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON
DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON is the immediate action response that should be taken during any
emergency in which flying and falling debris may threaten students and staff. Examples of
emergencies that would require this immediate action response would be earthquakes and
explosions.
In the event of an emergency that causes falling debris, all students and staff should be
educated to “DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON.” Important factors of this emergency response
include:
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Drop to the floor immediately in time of emergency
Duck under a sturdy table, desk, etc.
Cover the head with arms and hands while holding onto furniture
Turn away from windows to stay clear of breaking glass
Any community members in wheelchairs should remain in the wheelchairs if mobility is
limited and should be moved against an interior wall while locking wheelchair wheels
Students and staff should remember the following when performing the DROP, COVER, and
HOLD ON immediate action response:
 In the event that it is impossible to duck under sturdy furniture, individuals should cover
their face and head with their arms
 Individuals who are outside in the event of an emergency that may cause flying debris
should run to an area outside that is far from buildings and assume the DROP, COVER,
and HOLD ON immediate action response
 Individuals should help those community members with special needs in order to ensure
the safety of all
 There is a strong possibility that broken glass and flying objects as well as the initiation
of fire alarms and sprinkler systems may occur in this type of emergency. Students and
staff should be aware of this in order to not cause fear and alarm in the case of an actual
emergency
 Evacuations should only occur in this type of emergency response if there is damage to
the building, the building is on fire, or location is in a tsunami zone
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
In the case that a DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON emergency response is needed at Mercy High
School:
 Students and staff will be given clear directions by the School incident Commander via
the PA system or other means of communication if necessary.
 The School Incident Commander, supported by the Security/Search and Rescue Team,
will check for fires, status of utilities, and structural and nonstructural damage, in order
to determine if an evacuation is necessary. Staff and students should wait for
communication before evacuating unless a teacher is aware of a fire or immediate
structural threat before the School lncident Commander is. In this case the teacher
should immediately implement an evacuation with his or her students as well as
surrounding students and staff. Evacuation should only begin when it is safe for
students and staff to move around.
 Staff members will send in safety, injury, and damage reports to the Main Office Data
Collection Team. If major injuries are reported that require medical assistance, 911
should be called immediately. Staff members who are reporting these major injuries are
expected to assess the seriousness nature of the injury. If the staff member determines
that the injury could result in emotional distress of student bystanders the staff member
is expected to evacuate his or her students to another classroom while waiting for first
responders to arrive.
 In the case that an incident includes a casualty, only the Coroner, police chaplain, or
other public official should deliver official notification of deceased persons after proper
identification has been made.
 If Mercy High School is determined to be unsafe to return, STUDENT RELEASE
procedures will be initiated, and staff members will be expected to remain on campus to
assist until they are released by the administration. Faculty/ staff will be released in an
order which gives those with dependents under the age of 18 as well as those with
medical needs priority.
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON
STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
 INDOORS
o At the first recognition of an earthquake or any other emergency that may cause
flying debris, instruct students to move away from windows and initiate DROP,
COVER, and HOLD ON emergency response.
o Make sure student backs are facing towards windows.
o If a student is unable to find protection under sturdy furniture, direct them to
shelter against an interior wall and turn them away from windows and other
glass.
o Instruct students to move as little as possible.
o Each time an aftershock is felt, instruct students to DROP, COVER, and HOLD
ON.
o When it appears safe to release from cover, assess all students for injury as well
as the building for any damage. Report any and all injuries and damage to the
Main Office Data Collection Team. If there are no injuries or damage faculty and
staff are still expected to call in a report. In the case that a student or staff
member has suffered a major injury, be prepared to call 911 directly if necessary,
and move stable students to a different classroom.
o Wait in classroom for further instructions from School Incident Commander.
 OUTDOORS
o Find a clear spot and drop to the ground, being sure to stay away from buildings,
power lines, trees, and spotlights, etc.)
o Initiate the DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON procedures.
o Instruct students to move as little as possible.
o Each time an aftershock is felt, instruct students to DROP, COVER, and HOLD
ON.
o When it appears safe to release from cover, assess all students for injury as well
as the building for any damage. Report any and all injuries and damage to the
Main Office Data Collection Team. If there are no injuries or damage faculty and
staff are still expected to call in a report. In the case that a student or staff
member has suffered a major injury, be prepared to call 911 directly if necessary,
and move stable students to a different classroom.
o Wait in classroom for further instructions from School Incident Commander.
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
EVACUATION
EVACUATION is the immediate action response that should be taken during any emergency in
which conditions make it unsafe to remain in the building. This action provides for the orderly
movement of students and staff along prescribed routes from inside school buildings to a
designated outside area of safety. Examples of emergencies that would require this immediate
action response would be bomb threats, chemical accidents, explosions or threats of
explosions, fires, and earthquakes.
In the event of an emergency that makes staying in a building unsafe, all students and staff
should be educated to “EVACUATE.” Important factors of this emergency response include:
 Exit the building to a pre-determined safe site, on campus or off site
 Exit the building in a way that ensures student safety and minimal time spent in the
building. Though pre-determined pathways may be used, faculty and staff should be
prepared to use alternate routes based on circumstances
 Individuals should help those community members with special needs in order to ensure
the safety of all
In the case that an EVACUATION emergency response is needed at Mercy High School:
 Students and staff will be given clear directions by the School incident Commander via
the PA system or other means of communication if necessary.
 The School Incident Commander, supported by the Security/Search and Rescue Team,
will check for fires, status of utilities, and structural and nonstructural damage.
 After lining up by advisory, staff members will turn in attendance to the Data Collection
Team. The School Incident Commander will report any missing persons to the fire
officials and law enforcement members present.
 If major injuries are reported that require medical assistance, 911 should be called
immediately.
 Students and staff will be notified of their ability to return to campus buildings only after
it has been determined safe to do so.
 In the case that an incident includes a casualty, only the Coroner, police chaplain, or other public
official should deliver official notification of deceased persons after proper identification has
been made.
 If Mercy High School is determined to be unsafe to return, STUDENT RELEASE procedures will be
initiated, and staff members will be expected to remain on campus to assist until they are
released by the administration. Faculty/ staff will be released in an order which gives those with
dependents under the age of 18 as well as those with medical needs priority.
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
EVACUATION
STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
 Prepare students to leave all belongings and calmly and quietly exit the building while
staying together en route to the Evacuation Assembly Area
 Gather emergency supplies/materials (Go Pack) including the student roster for current
and that of “Buddy Teacher”
 Remove staff ID placard from emergency backpack and put it on
 Ensure the door is closed but unlocked
 Check with Buddy Teacher to determine each other’s health status, need to assist with
injuries, need to stay with injured students, etc.
 If necessary, one buddy will evacuate both classrooms
 Take care to ensure the safety and address the unique needs of students or staff with
disabilities according to site protocol
 Appoint a responsible student to lead class while teacher takes up the rear, seeing that
everyone has cleared the room. Follow closely with the class, actively monitoring safe
exits and adjusting the path as necessary
 Use the designated evacuated routes and reassemble in the assigned Evacuation
Assembly Area
o Mercy High School Evacuation A: The Green in front of Kohl Mansion
o Mercy High School Evacuation B: Meadow behind Lake Lot
 Take attendance once class is safely in assembly area and bring attendance to Data
Collection Team
 Assist in keeping your class quiet while waiting for further direction
 In the case that an incident includes a casualty, only the Coroner, police chaplain, or
other public official should deliver official notification of deceased persons after proper
identification has been made.
 If Mercy High School is determined to be unsafe to return, STUDENT RELEASE
procedures will be initiated, and staff members will be expected to remain on campus to
assist until they are released by the administration. Faculty/ staff will be released in an
order which gives those with dependents under the age of 18 as well as those with
medical needs priority.
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
EVACUATION
Assisting Those with Disabilities during an Evacuation
During evacuations non-ambulatory individuals will require different needs and preferences.
While some individuals may be able to exit without help, others may require greater assistance.
Be aware that lifting individuals may be dangerous and that some non-ambulatory people also
have respiratory complications. Oversee their careful evacuation from smoke or vapors if
danger is immediate.
To alert visually-impaired individuals:
 Announce the type of emergency
 Offer arm for assistance
 Tell person where you are going and any obstacles you encounter
 When you reach safety, ask if further help is needed
To alert individuals with hearing limitations:
 Turn light on and off to gain the person’s attention
 Indicate directions with gestures
 Write a note with evacuation directions
To evacuate individuals using crutches, canes, or walkers:
 Evacuate these individuals as injured persons
 Assist and accompany to evacuation site, if possible –OR Use a sturdy chair (or one with wheels) to move person –OR Help carry individual to safety
To evacuate individuals using wheelchairs:
 Give priority assistance to wheelchair users with electrical respirators
 Most wheelchairs are too heavy to take downstairs; consult with the affected individual
to determine the best carry options
 Reunite person with the wheelchair as soon as it is safe to do so
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
LOCKDOWN/ BARRICADE
LOCKDOWN/ BARRICADE is the immediate action response that should be taken during any
emergency in which there is imminent threat of violence or gunfire that has been identified on
the campus or if the school is directed by law enforcement. During LOCKDOWN/ BARRICADE,
students are to remain in designated classrooms or lockdown locations at all times. Students
and staff should not evacuate until rooms have been cleared by law enforcement or Mercy High
School administration. Examples of emergencies that would require this immediate action
response would be gunfire, threat of extreme violence outside of the classroom, and immediate
danger in the surrounding community.
***LOCKDOWN/ BARRICADE is a protective action against human threat while SHELTER-INPLACE protects against environmental threats. ***
In the event of an emergency that that makes leaving the building unsafe, all students and staff
should be educated to “Lockdown.” Important factors of this emergency response include:
 It is a response to an immediate danger so it is not preceded by any warning
 Demands quick action; an active shooter, for example, can fire one round per second
 Requires common sense thinking under pressure; do what must be done to best ensure
survival of both students and staff
 If it is possible to safely get off campus with students, take that action immediately and
run
 If it is not possible to get off campus, quickly lockdown inside a safe room, barricade
the entrance, and hide
 Once a room is secured, no one is allowed to enter or exit under any circumstances
 In the extreme instance that a violent intruder is able to enter a room, occupants should
be prepared to fight back
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
LOCKDOWN/ BARRICADE
“Think on Your Feet”
In the event of a Violent Intruder on campus, quick thinking is imperative for survival.
Especially when an active threat of violence is present, an individual will have to think on
his/her feet to quickly determine the best course of action. These choices may include getting
off campus, hiding, implementing Lockdown/Barricade or even, in the most extreme of
situations, fighting an assailant. Understanding and practicing these options can help an
individual respond decisively and in so doing, best ensure the safety and survival of self,
students, and other staff. In the event of a Violent Intruder on campus, expect to hear noise
from alarms, gunfire, explosions and shouting. It is not uncommon for people confronted with a
threat to first deny the possible danger rather than respond. Faculty and staff should recognize
the sounds of danger and be able to think in their feet to take necessary action. These actions
include:
Escape/ Get off Campus
 Only attempt this if you are confident that the suspect(s) is not in the immediate vicinity
 Safely get off campus to a pre-determined safe site; find a position of cover or safe place
for assembly
 Guide/instruct others you encounter on the way to follow you to safety
 Call 911 immediately to report location and request emergency services if necessary
 Once in a safe place- stay there and take attendance
Hide/ Lockdown/ Barricade
 Clear all hallways if safe; get students and staff inside immediately
 Once locked and barricaded inside a room, follow all protocols for
LOCKDOWN/BARRICADE as practiced
 Direct all those in the room to remain still and quiet; turn off/silence cell phones
 If unable to find cover inside a secure room, quickly seek out a hiding place on campus
Fight
 If confronted by an assailant, as a last resort, consider trying to disrupt or incapacitate
through aggressive force or by using items in the environment such as fire extinguishers
or chairs
 There are documented instances where aggressive action on the part of victims resulted
in stopping the attacker
 Fighting back is NOT an expectation, merely one option for a last resort response
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
In the case that a LOCKDOWN/ BARRICADE emergency response is needed at Mercy High
School:
 Students and staff will be given clear directions by the School incident Commander if
possible via the PA system or other means of communication if necessary.
 If its sounds like a commotion is occurring outside the classroom, staff should assume a
lockdown/barricade is necessary and initiate it immediately
 Rooms shall remain locked until the School Incident Commander or emergency
responders give the ALL CLEAR
 Call 911 if an emergency is obvious
 Follow EVACUATION procedures once an emergency has been mitigated
 Collect attendance and notify the Data Collection team of any attendance concerns
 In the case that an incident includes a casualty, only the Coroner, police chaplain, or
other public official should deliver official notification of deceased persons after proper
identification has been made.
 If Mercy High School is determined to be unsafe to return, STUDENT RELEASE
procedures will be initiated, and staff members will be expected to remain on campus to
assist until they are released by the administration. Faculty/ staff will be released in an
order which gives those with dependents under the age of 18 as well as those with
medical needs priority.
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
LOCKDOWN/ BARRICADE
STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES IF STUDENTS ARE IN CLASS AT TIME OF
LOCKDOWN/BARRICADE
 IMMEDIATELY move to the door and check for passing students. Divert as many
students as possible into the classroom
 Lock and close the door and barricade with heavy objects
 Close blinds and turn off lights. If the door has a window, cover with a pre-cut piece of
heavy black construction paper
 Instruct students to stay quiet and out of sight. Relocate against the wall least visible to
the outside and most out of the line of harm
 Turn off television, LCD projector, document camera, etc. The room should appear as
dark and quiet as possible
 Silence all cell phones
 DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR FOR ANYONE. Law enforcement and/or the School Incident
Commander will use keys to unlock doors and clear the rooms. If law enforcement do
not have keys, follow the “Sum of Nine” communication protocol.
 Only if there is a life-threatening emergency inside the room and there is no other way
to request medical assistance, place a red colored item (card, red cross, sweatshirt, etc.)
on/in the window or slide under the outside door (If an active threat is still present at
the time Law Enforcement comes on the scene, Law Enforcement will ignore the red
signal until the active threat has been neutralized.) If there is a student or teacher who
has been killed, placed a back colored cloth under the door. If all students are safe,
place a green cloth under the door.
 If safe to do so, locate emergency packet and attendance roster. Remove staff ID
placard and put it on.
 If safe to do so, take attendance and document on appropriate form
 Remain in the classroom or secured area until further instructions are provided by the
School Incident Commander of law enforcement
 Do NOT call office to ask questions; School Incident Commander will send out periodic
updates when it is safe to do via a different means of communication such as email,
text, or PA system
 In the extreme instance that a violent intruder is able to enter a room, occupants should
be prepared to fight back
 Maintain order in all areas of shelter or assembly and await the arrival of law
enforcement. Be ready for lengthy stay of 2-4 hours
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
LOCKDOWN/ BARRICADE
STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES IF STUDENTS ARE OUT OF CLASS AT TIME OF
LOCKDOWN/BARRICADE
 IMMEDIATELY move students to nearest available safe building or the pre-determined
Off-Site Evacuation Location without drawing attention to self or students. If doors are
locked, continue to look for a safe area. Consider moving students off campus if that
seems the safest option
 Do not chase students that run. Let them go.
 Do not go into rooms that cannot be secured and offer no way out.
 If secure inside a room, lock all doors, close blinds/curtains, turn off lights, and direct
students to relocate against the wall least visible to the outside and most out of the line
of sight.
 Silence all cell phones.
 Turn off television, LCD projector, document camera, etc.
 Remain calm. If safe to do, attempt to maintain separation between students and the
perpetrator
 Only if there is a life-threatening emergency inside the room and there is no other way
to request medical assistance, place a red colored item (card, red cross, sweatshirt, etc.)
on/in the window or slide under the outside door (If an active threat is still present at
the time Law Enforcement comes on the scene, Law Enforcement will ignore the red
signal until the active threat has been neutralized.)
 If safe to do so, locate emergency packet and attendance roster. Remove staff ID
placard and put it on.
 If safe to do so, take attendance and document on appropriate form
 If safe to do so, contact School Incident Commander or designee to document your
whereabouts as well as any students/ staff under your supervision
 In the extreme instance that a violent intruder is able to enter a room, occupants should
be prepared to fight back
 Maintain order in all areas of shelter or assembly and await the arrival of law
enforcement. Be ready for lengthy stay of 2-4 hours
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
LOCKDOWN/ BARRICADE
STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES IF STUDENTS ARE ENGAGED IN CLASS
ACTIVITY ON AN OUTDOOR PE OR ACTIVITY CLASS:
 IMMEDIATELY gather students together and organize into an orderly formation
 Inform students that as part of LOCKDOWN/BARRICADE procedures, the class will
evacuate off campus to a pre-determined Off-Site Evacuation Location
 Follow pre-arranged evacuation route to evacuation location
 Should the group be confronted by the intruder who is intent on doing harm, consider
taking defensive measures to run, hide, or fight the assailant
 Upon arrival at the pre-arranged location, take attendance
 Contact the School Incident Commander or designee by cell phone (numbers can be
found in Go Pack) or call 911 to report class location and any absent or missing students
 Maintain order in all areas of shelter or assembly. Do not release students to
parent/guardian until instructed by School Incident Commander or law enforcement
 In the case that an incident includes a casualty, only the Coroner, police chaplain, or
other public official should deliver official notification of deceased persons after proper
identification has been made.
 If Mercy High School is determined to be unsafe to return, STUDENT RELEASE
procedures will be initiated, and staff members will be expected to remain on campus to
assist until they are released by the administration. Faculty/ staff will be released in an
order which gives those with dependents under the age of 18 as well as those with
medical needs priority.
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
SECURE CAMPUS
SECURE CAMPUS is the immediate action response that should be taken during any emergency
in which the threat of violence or police action in the surrounding community requires
precautionary measures to ensure the safety of students and staff. When a campus is in
SECURE CAMPUS status, classroom instruction and/or activity may continue as long as all
classroom and office doors are locked and all students and staff remain inside throughout the
duration of the event. Other gates and other entrance/exit points can be closed (NOT LOCKED)
to deter a potential penetrator from entering school grounds. Examples of emergencies that
would require this immediate action response would be potential threats of violence and law
enforcement activities in the surrounding community.
*** A SECURE CAMPUS response may be elevated to LOCKDOWN/BARRICADE in which case
instruction immediately ceases and students and staff should follow to LOCKDOWN/BARRICADE
procedures ***
Important factors of the SECURE CAMPUS emergency response include:
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It is intended to prevent a potential community threat from entering campus
Heightens schools safety while honoring instructional time
Requires that all exterior classroom/ office doors are locked and remain locked
Is intended to prevent intruders from entering occupied areas of the building
Requires that students and staff remain in SECURE CAMPUS status until ALL CLEAR is
issued by School Incident Commander
Students and staff should remember the following when performing the SECURE CAMPUS
immediate action response:
 Maintain heightened state of readiness in the case the community threat intensifies and
school needs to elevate response to LOCKDOWN/BARRICADE
 If students are out at break, recess, or lunch and situation is deemed imminent, all
students should be brought in immediately
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
SECURE CAMPUS
STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
 Move to the door and instruct any passing students to return to assigned classroom
immediately
 Close and lock the doors
 Continue the class instruction or activity as normal
 Enforce the no entrance/no exit protocol. Remain in the classroom or secured area and
wait for further instructions
 Be alert to the possibility that the response may elevate to LOCKDOWN/ BARRICADE
 Do not call the office to ask questions; School Incident Commander will send out
periodic updates
 Wait for another action or, if ALL CLEAR is issued, return to normal class routine
 If Mercy High School is determined to be unsafe to return, STUDENT RELEASE
procedures will be initiated, and staff members will be expected to remain on campus to
assist until they are released by the administration. Faculty/ staff will be released in an
order which gives those with dependents under the age of 18 as well as those with
medical needs priority.
STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES IF STUDENTS ARE ENGAGED IN CLASS
ACTIVITY ON AN OUTDOOR PE OR ACTIVITY CLASS:
 Gather students together and organize in to an orderly formation
 Inform students that as part of SECURE CAMPUS procedures, the class will move
immediately to a pre-determined classroom location
 Proceed to a pre-determined classroom location as quickly as possible
 Once inside, take attendance to ensure all students are accounted for
 By classroom phone, cell phone, walkie-talkie, or other means, contact School Incident
Commander to report class location and any absent or missing students
 Implement all classroom policies and procedures for SECURE CAMPUS status
 Wait for another action or, if ALL CLEAR announcement is issued, return to normal class
routine
 If Mercy High School is determined to be unsafe to return, STUDENT RELEASE
procedures will be initiated, and staff members will be expected to remain on campus to
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
assist until they are released by the administration. Faculty/ staff will be released in an
order which gives those with dependents under the age of 18 as well as those with
medical needs priority.
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
SHELTER IN PLACE
SHELTER IN PLACE is the immediate action response that should be taken during any
emergency in which students and staff need to be isolated from the outdoor environment in
order to prevent exposure to airborne contaminants or threats posed by wildlife or other
hazards. The procedures of SHELTER IN PLACE include closing and sealing doors, windows, and
vents; shutting down the classroom/ building heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems
to prevent exposure to the outside air/ and turning off pilot lights Examples of emergencies
that would require this immediate action response would be external chemical release, fire in
Important factors of the SECURE CAMPUS emergency response include:
 Requires an understanding that all heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems
may be shut down immediately
 Requires an understanding that all pilot lights and sources of flame may need to be
extinguished
 Requires an understanding that any gaps around doors and windows may need to be
sealed
 Allows for free movement within classrooms or offices
Students and staff should remember the following when performing the SECURE CAMPUS
immediate action response:
 Assist in closing doors and windows
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Immediate Action Response: The Big Five
SHELTER IN PLACE
STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
 Immediately clear students from the halls. Stay away from all doors and windows
 Keep all students in the classroom until further instructions are received. Support those
needing special assistance
 Secure individual classrooms
o Close doors and windows
o Shut down the classroom HVAC system
o Turn off fans
o Seal gaps under doors and windows with wet towels, duct tape, or other
materials if instructed by School Incident Commander
o Take attendance and call or e-mail status to school secretary, according to site
protocol
o Wait for another action or, if ALL CLEAR, announcement is issued, return to
normal class routine
 If Mercy High School is determined to be unsafe to return, STUDENT RELEASE procedures will be
initiated, and staff members will be expected to remain on campus to assist until they are
released by the administration. Faculty/ staff will be released in an order which gives those with
dependents under the age of 18 as well as those with medical needs priority.
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