Building Safety Designations
Northshore School District has developed four different building designations for student's, staff and visitors for school-related emergencies. Each designation is initiated by an audible alert, such as a fire alarm or pre-recorded message. When possible, the building's public address system is used to provide more information about the emergency. Students and staff practice these designations and emergency responses during monthly drills. Specific information about each of the four building designations can be found below.
Lockdown
A Lockdown should be reserved for the most serious situations. It would be used only for a possible major threat such as a weapon on or near campus.
In a true Lockdown, all students are brought indoors, classroom doors are locked, students may hide, staff may barricade doors and cover windows, and the normal education process stops.
If the school is placed in Lockdown, staff and students will hear: “Lockdown, Lockdown, we are now in Lockdown.” Staff will follow their training in locking doors and directing students.
Safe Inside
Safe Inside is a new designation in Northshore, created because schools previously were using the more serious term “Lockdown” for situations that did not require a full Lockdown -- situations where the educational process could have continued.
Safe Inside will be used for more common incidents such as wildlife near campus or police activity in the surrounding community.
In Safe Inside mode, all students are brought indoors and exterior building doors are locked, but the educational process and interior activity may continue.
If the school is placed in Safe Inside, staff and students will hear: “May I have your attention please? The building is now in Safe Inside mode. Once again, we are in Safe Inside mode.” Staff will follow their training in directing students.
Shelter-in-Place
Shelter-in-Place is a designation meant to address exterior atmospheric hazards, such as a gas leak in the neighborhood or ash from a nearby fire.
In Shelter-in-Place mode, all students are brought indoors; windows are closed, locked and possibly taped; fans are turned off; and towels may be placed under doors.
If the school is in Shelter-in-Place, staff and students will hear: “May I have your attention please? The building is now in Shelter-in-Place mode. Once again, we are in Shelter-in-Place mode.” Staff will follow their training in preparing the room and directing students.
Evacuation
Evacuation is the designation used whenever it’s safer for students to be outside rather than inside, such as an interior gas leak, fire or unstable building structure due to a natural disaster.
In an Evacuation, students and staff leave the building following similar procedures they would use in a fire drill. Evacuation route will vary depending on the location/nature of the event.
If the school is placed in Evacuation, for a reason other then a fire drill, staff and students will hear: “May I have your attention please? Evacuate the building. Once again, evacuate the building.” Staff will follow their training in directing students.