Sterling Area Health Center
Policy Name: Code Silver- Persons with Weapons Reviewed: 04/13, 06/14, 06/16, 06/17 Hostage Situation
Revised: 06/15
Manual: Environment of Care – Security
Management Next Review: 06/18
Attachment: Suspect Description Form Responsible Person: Safety
Committee
Approved: 06/12
Policy
It is the policy of Sterling Area Health Center that the carrying of concealed weapons by employees, patients, vendors, and visitors is prohibited on the premises of any Sterling Area Health Center facilities including office space, buildings, parking lots, and grounds. The exceptions to this policy are: a duly authorized law enforcement officer.
Procedure
· In keeping with this policy, the carrying of weapons, concealed or otherwise, by employees is prohibited in personal vehicles immediately before, during, or immediately after work
· No weapon shall be kept in a desk, lunch box, purse, or other personal property while on property owned by SAHC
· In keeping with this policy, SAHC reserves the right to inspect employee’s personal property including, but not limited to, packages, purses, clothing and vehicles based upon a reasonable suspicion that this policy has been or is being violated
· Assesses all incoming individuals for potential harm to self or others at SAHC
o Erratic speech or body movements, excessive anger or verbal aggressiveness
o Note presence of alcohol or possible drug use
o Note presence of any item which might be used as a weapon (knife, gun, baseball bat, etc)
Staff guidance if a weapon is encountered:
· Remain Calm
· Explain Sterling Area Health Center’s posted policy banning weapons and reference the signage posted
· If there is hesitation or resistance from the individual Code Silver will be initiated
· Make the individual aware that if they do not leave that the police will be called
o Use the panic button (this will inform the police automatically)
o Or call 911
o If law enforcement arrives staff are to provide them with maps of the facility, and provide them with suspect description form
· Allow the individual an escape route at all times, which does not further threaten staff, visitors, or patients
· Once a code Silver has been initiated the rest of the staff should stay in safe areas and follow the lockdown procedures
· If individual leaves inform police
o Fill out incident report, violent occurrence check list, and suspect description form as soon as possible in order to get as many details down about the individual (i.e. what does the person look like, what were they wearing, what is the license plate number, etc.)
o Monitor grounds to observe that the individual leaves the grounds and does not attempt to return to the clinic
o Secure all exterior doors by locking them until police arrives to prevent the individuals’ return to SAHC
Hostage Situation Procedures
Ø If you hear or see a hostage situation:
o Immediately remove yourself and others, which include patients and visitors, from any danger
o If the situation permits obtain staff roster and patient appointment schedule
o Activate code Silver
o Call 911 or use panic alarm and provide the following information to the dispatcher:
§ Your Name
§ Location of incident and your exact location
§ Number of hostage takers
§ Physical description/identification of hostage takers
§ Any weapons the hostage takers may have
Ø If you are taken hostage:
o Remain calm, be polite and cooperate with the captors
o Do not attempt to escape unless there is an extremely good change of survival
o It is safer to be submissive and obey your captors
o Do not complain, avoid being belligerent, and comply with all orders and instructions
o Do not draw attention to yourself with sudden body movements, statements, comments, or hostile looks
o Observe the captors and try to memorize their physical traits, voice patterns, clothing, and other details that can help provide a description later
Ø In a rescue situation:
o Do not run. Drop to the floor and remain still. If that is not possible, cross your arms, bow your head, and stand still. Make no sudden moves that a tense rescuer may interpret as hostile or threatening
o Wait for instructions and obey all instructions you are given
o Do not be upset, resist, or argue if a rescuer isn’t sure whether you are a terrorist or a hostage
o Even if you are handcuffed and searched, do not resist. Just wait for the confusion to clear
Emergency Lockdown Procedure
· Go to nearest room or office
· Close and lock doors
· Stay away from the door
· Cover the door windows
· Turn off lights
· Barricade room
· Silence cell phones
· Stay calm and quiet and act as if no one is in the room
· Do not answer the door
· If your room is under attach exit by any means possible
Post Assessment
· Safety and PIC will review all incidents to discuss appropriateness of care of situations
· The incident will be discussed with staff to seek alternatives to prepare staff for future contacts
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P:\ENVIRONMENT OF CARE\Security Management\Code Silver- Person with Weapons Hostage Situation.doc
Updated: 10/18/16
Distribution: Safety Officer