CONTENTS Page(s)

Para 1Introduction 2

Para 2Generic framework for critical incidents2-3

Para 3Procedures relating to fire evacuation3

Para 4Procedures relating to a telephone threat3

Para 5Procedures relating to suspect packages3-4

Para 6Procedures relating to the evacuation of the site4-5

Appendix 1Generic critical incident flow chart6

Appendix 2Security threat procedures7


  1. INTRODUCTION

1.1A critical incident is any event which can threaten the safety of the Academy community in such a way as to cause it to stop carrying out its everyday business.

1.2Critical incidents can take many forms and therefore these procedures reflect the steps that should be undertaken in specific circumstances and a generic framework which allows for a definite yet flexible set of responses.

1.3The remaining elements of this Critical Incident Procedures document will consist of:

1.3.1generic framework for critical incidents;

1.3.2procedures relating to a fire evacuation;

1.3.3procedures relating to a telephone threat procedure;

1.3.4procedures relating to suspect packages;

1.3.5procedures relating to the evacuation of the site.

  1. GENERIC FRAMEWORK FOR CRITICAL INCIDENTS

2.1A flow chart for dealing with critical incidents can be found at Appendix A.

2.2STEP 1: Member of staff who identifies a potential critical incident such chemical leak, serious road traffic accident, isolation of utilities to site etc contacts the Academy’s Health and Safety Co-ordinator or Principals.

2.3STEP 2: The Academy’s Health and Safety Co-ordinatoror Principalscollate all available information and undertakes a risk assessment exercise in an area that will be designated ‘crisis centre’. The Academy’s Health and Safety Co-ordinatoror Principals will decide on whether to formally declare a Critical Incident and informing the relevant emergency services and the Local Authority using the Emergency Crisis Line telephone contact 0113 2475625 and allocating an area to be designated as a Crisis Centre.

2.4STEP 3: Any strategies that are identified will have a designated member of staff attached to them who will report back through telephone, radio or in person to the crisis centre.

2.5STEP 4: All strategies will be reviewed in light of new information flows.

2.6STEP 5: If the critical incident escalates then the Academy’s Health and Safety Co-ordinator or Principalshave the authority to:

2.6.1evacuate the Academy as per the fire evacuation procedures;

2.6.2seal the site until given an all clear by the emergency services;

2.6.3evacuate the site as per the evacuation of site procedures.

2.7STEP 6:Contact with emergency services, secondary evacuation sites, parents/carers and press to be co-ordinated through the crisis centre.

2.8STEP 7:The Critical Incident can only be closed by the Academy’s Health and Safety Co-ordinator or Principals.

2.9STEP 8: A meeting to be held within one week of the incident to involve the Health and Safety officer, Principals and any other officers involved in managing the incident. This allows for the incident plan to be discussed and adherence to it be verified. It also allows for a formal report of the incident to be finalised and for any ‘lessons learned’ to be identified and for the plan to be amended accordingly if required. It also allows for any other issues such as trauma/incident related stress etc to be identified and managed.

  1. PROCEDURES RELATING TO A FIRE EVACUATION

Please follow steps outlined in the Emergency Evacuation Procedure.

  1. PROCEDURES RELATING TO A TELEPHONE THREAT

4.1STEP 1: Remain calm and listen to the caller carefully.

4.2STEP 2: Use the Form on the last page (Appendix 2) to complete as full a picture of the threat as possible

4.3STEP 3: The member of staff who receives the call must make contact with the Academy’s Health and Safety Co-ordinator or the Principals and ensure they receive the completed Telephone Form.

4.4STEP 4: The Academy’s Health and Safety Co-ordinator or the Principals contact the police immediately and with them undertakes a risk analysis.

4.5STEP 5: The Academy’s Health and Safety Co-ordinator or the Principals will make a decision as to:

4.5.1evacuate the building; or

4.5.2evacuate the site; or

4.5.3begin lock-in procedures

4.6STEP 6: Please evacuate the building by using the fire evacuation procedures or evacuate the site using the evacuation of the site procedures.

  1. PROCEDURES RELATING TO SUSPECT PACKAGES

5.1STEP 1: In order to maintainthe security of the Academy building all staff and visitors should be wearing an appropriate badge. Any person not found to have an appropriate badge should be escorted to the main reception area.

5.2STEP 2: Suspect packages could be found around the Academy premises as well as in the post. On find a suspicious pack staff should not touch it but look for one of these signs:

5.2.1threatening messages;

5.2.2oily stains;

5.2.3crystals or powder like residue;

5.2.4oddly shaped;

5.2.5discoloured;

5.2.6strange odour (usually almonds or marzipan);

5.2.7excessive amount of tape or string;

5.2.8incorrect or unusual spelling of common names, places or titles;

5.2.9blocked printed or childlike writing;

5.2.10excessive or cancelled postage.

5.3STEP 3: Do not touch the package and report your suspicions immediately to the Principals. Do not discuss your suspicions with anybody else but take steps to ensure that the surrounding area is safe.

5.4STEP 4: The Academy’s Principals will co-ordinate a response with the police

5.5STEP 5: The Academy’s Principals will decide whether it is necessary to:

5.5.1evacuate the building; or

5.5.2evacuate the site; or

5.5.3 begin lock-in procedures

  1. PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE EVACUATION OF THE SITE

6.1STEP 1: The Academy’sPrincipal will declare a critical incident and inform the local authority.

6.2STEP 2: As part of the process of declaring a critical incident,in such circumstances, a decision will be made to determine the most appropriate off-site muster point and the most appropriate exit from the site. Consideration will be made of:

6.2.1location and potential hazard zone of the critical incident

6.2.2Nature of the prevailing wind

6.3STEP 3: The Principal will contact the secondary site:

6.3.1Corpus Christi College - 0113 2009010

6.4STEP 4: The evacuation alarm will be set off

6.5STEP 5: The Academy should meet at the Fire point assembly point on the designated play area.

6.6STEP 6: Unattached staff will be directed to role of road marshals at designated points along Neville Road.

6.7STEP 7: The Order for leaving the site should be Reception, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10, Year 11 and lead off site by Class Teacher in the Primary Phase and Form Tutor in the Secondary Phase.

6.8STEP 8: Arrive at off-site location and line up in Reception to Year 11 order.

Appendix 1

Generic Critical Incident Flow Chart:

1