Crisis Response: Improvement by Locknow

Schools are intended to provide safe and nurturing environments for students and staff. However, they are not immune to emergencies, which can occur unexpectedly due to natural disasters, human-made incidents, or health crises. These emergencies have the potential to disrupt normal school operations, endanger the lives and well-being of the school community, and cause damage to school property and resources.

he LockNow App is a mobile and web-based application designed to enable schools to send instant alerts, share live messages, and customize response options for various types of emergencies. This capability ensures immediate crisis response. In this blog post, we will demonstrate how the LockNow App can assist schools in preparing for and responding to different emergencies, including:

• Active shooter incidents
• Fires
• Earthquakes
• Lockdown situations
• Other emergencies

Active shooter

An active shooter is someone who is actively attempting to kill or harm people in a confined and populated area. The crisis response for this situation is the most important.  These situations are highly unpredictable and unfold rapidly, typically lasting less than 10 minutes. Given the short duration, law enforcement may not arrive in time to intervene. Therefore, it’s crucial for individuals to be prepared to respond to an active shooter situation before help arrives.  See our 13 essentials for lockdowns at this link.

In such a critical crisis response scenario, the immediate actions to consider include:

• Run: If possible, evacuate the area or building immediately. Encourage others to do the same, while moving away from the source of danger.
• Hide: If running is not an option, find a place to hide that provides protection and is out of the shooter’s view. Lock and barricade doors, turn off lights, and remain quiet.
• Fight: As a last resort and only when confronted directly, attempt to incapacitate the shooter using improvised weapons or by overwhelming them with numbers.

Preparation and awareness are key to maximizing safety during an active shooter incident.

The LockNow App enhances school safety by alerting staff and students about the presence of an active shooter on campus and providing instructions for lockdown, evacuation, or other necessary actions. It also offers real-time updates on the situation, including the shooter’s location, movement, casualties, and law enforcement arrival.

Here are steps for utilizing the LockNow App during an active shooter scenario:

1. Respond to Alerts: When you receive an alert from the LockNow App regarding an active shooter, follow the instructions promptly. Take the alert seriously and do not ignore it.
2. Lock Down or Secure: If you can safely secure yourself and others, lock or barricade doors and windows, turn off lights, silence your phone, and stay out of sight. Only open the door if it is safe to do so.
3. Escape if Possible: If securing yourself isn’t an option, attempt to escape. Avoid elevators and use alternate exits. Run in a zigzag pattern, keep low, and move quickly to a safe location.
4. Fight as a Last Resort: If escape and securing aren’t possible, consider fighting back using improvised weapons like chairs, fire extinguishers, or scissors. Act aggressively and aim for the shooter’s head or body.
5. Stay Informed: Stay connected to the LockNow App for updates and instructions throughout the incident. Follow any guidance from the app or authorities. Don’t assume others have contacted emergency services.
6. Cooperate with Law Enforcement: When law enforcement arrives, obey their commands and avoid sudden movements. Keep your hands visible and avoid holding anything that could be mistaken for a weapon.

Using the LockNow App in conjunction with these steps can significantly improve response effectiveness and safety during an active shooter crisis.  Additional crisis response resources for active threat situations provided by the FBI is located at this link.

Fire

Fires necessitate a distinct crisis response. They involve the rapid combustion of materials, generating heat, light, smoke, and flames. Fires can spread swiftly, resulting in significant damage to property and endangering lives. Various factors can cause fires, including electrical faults, cooking accidents, arson, lightning strikes, and more. Additionally, fires can lead to secondary hazards such as explosions, gas leaks, and smoke inhalation.

Here are steps for utilizing the LockNow App during a fire crisis response:

1. Respond to Alerts: When you receive an alert from the LockNow App about a fire in or near your school, follow the instructions promptly. Take the alert seriously and do not ignore it.
2. Activate Fire Alarm and Call 911: If you see or smell smoke or flames, activate the nearest fire alarm and call 911 if possible to alert emergency responders.
3. Stay in a Safe Room: If you’re in a room where the fire is not present, close doors and windows to prevent smoke and fire from entering. Check the door and doorknob for heat—if hot, do not open; seek an alternative exit.
4. Evacuate Safely: If fire is present in your room, leave immediately using the nearest safe exit or fire escape. Avoid elevators and smoke-filled stairs.
5. Navigate through Smoke: If encountering smoke, stay low to the ground and cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth or shirt. Avoid hot walls and doors.
6. Handle Clothing on Fire: If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop to the ground, cover your face, and roll to smother flames. Avoid running, which can intensify the fire.
7. Assemble Outside: Once outside, move away from the building to the designated assembly point. Do not re-enter until authorized by the LockNow App or authorities.
8. Stay Informed: Remain connected to the LockNow App for updates and instructions throughout the incident. Follow guidance from the app and emergency responders.

Following these steps with the LockNow App can enhance safety and coordination during a fire emergency at school.

Earthquake

The crisis response for an earthquake first requires identifying the effects.  An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates along faults. Earthquakes can vary in magnitude, duration, and frequency. Earthquakes can cause severe damage to buildings, infrastructure, and life. Earthquakes can also trigger other hazards, such as landslides, tsunamis, fires, etc.

LockNow App can warn the school members about an impending or occurring earthquake, and advise them to take cover under sturdy furniture or in safe zones. LockNow App can also update them on the magnitude, duration, and aftershocks of the earthquake, and the extent of damage and injuries in the school or surrounding area.

Here are some steps for using LockNow App in an earthquake scenario:

1. When you receive an alert from LockNow App about an earthquake, follow the instructions carefully. Do not ignore or dismiss the alert.
2. If you are indoors, stay inside and take cover under a sturdy table, desk, or other furniture. Hold on to it and protect your head and neck with your arms. Stay away from windows, mirrors, bookcases, cabinets, or anything that could fall or break.
3. If you are outdoors, move away from buildings, trees, power lines, or anything that could fall or collapse. Find an open area and drop to the ground. Cover your head and neck with your arms.
4. If you are in a moving vehicle, stop as soon as it is safe to do so. Stay inside the vehicle and put on your seat belt. Avoid bridges, overpasses, tunnels, or anything that could collapse or be damaged by the earthquake.
5. After the shaking stops, check yourself and others for injuries and provide first aid if needed. Do not move anyone who is seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger. Call 911 if possible.
6. Stay in contact with LockNow App throughout the incident. Follow any updates or instructions from LockNow App or authorities. Do not assume that the earthquake is over, as there may be aftershocks that could cause further damage or injury.

Lockdown

As stated previously, the crisis response of a lockdown is one of the more critical potential emergencies.  A lockdown is a procedure that requires the school to secure its premises and protect its occupants from a threat or danger. A lockdown can be initiated by LockNow App, school authorities, law enforcement, or other agencies. A lockdown can be partial or full, voluntary or mandatory, internal or external. A lockdown can be triggered by various situations, such as intruders, violence, threats, hazardous materials, etc.

LockNow App can initiate a lockdown procedure in case of any threat or danger that requires the school to secure its premises and protect its occupants. LockNow App can also communicate the reason, duration, and conditions of the lockdown, such as whether it is partial or full, voluntary or mandatory, or internal or external.

Here are some steps for using LockNow App in a lockdown scenario:

1. When you receive an alert from LockNow App about a lockdown, follow the instructions carefully. Do not ignore or dismiss the alert.
2. If you are in a classroom or office, lock or barricade the door and windows, turn off the lights and silence your phone, and stay out of sight. Do not open the door for anyone unless you are sure it is safe.
3. If you are in a hallway or common area, look for the nearest classroom or office that is open and secure yourself inside. If you cannot find one, hide in
4. Stay calm and quiet during the lockdown. Do not make any noise or movement that could attract attention or cause alarm. Listen to any announcements or instructions from LockNow App or authorities. Do not use your phone or social media to spread rumors or false information.
5. If you need to communicate with someone outside the lockdown area, use LockNow App to send or receive messages. Do not call 911 unless you have an emergency that requires immediate assistance. Do not call or text your family or friends, as this could overload the phone lines and interfere with the emergency response.
6. Wait for the lockdown to be lifted by LockNow App or authorities. Do not leave your location until you are told it is safe to do so. Follow the directions of LockNow App or authorities on how to exit the lockdown area and where to go next. Be prepared for a head count, debriefing, or counseling session.

Other emergencies

Your crisis response plan should envelope all potential emergencies.   An emergency is any situation that may affect the operations or safety of the school, but do not fall under the categories of active shooter, fire, earthquake, or lockdown. These may include power outage, water contamination, gas leak, bomb threat, chemical spill, pandemic outbreak, etc. These emergencies may require different responses depending on the nature and severity of the situation.

LockNow App can also help schools deal with other types of emergencies that may affect their operations or safety. LockNow App can provide relevant information and guidance for each scenario, such as the cause, impact, and duration of the emergency, the actions to take or avoid, and the resources to contact or access.

Here are some steps for using LockNow App in other emergency scenarios:

1. When you receive an alert from LockNow App about an emergency in or near your school, follow the instructions carefully. Do not ignore or dismiss the alert.
2. If you are in a classroom or office, stay where you are unless LockNow App or authorities tell you to evacuate or relocate. Follow the instructions from LockNow App or authorities on how to deal with the specific emergency. For example, if there is a power outage, turn off any electrical devices and use flashlights or candles for lighting. If there is a water contamination, do not drink or use any tap water and use bottled water instead.
3. If you are in a hallway or common area, go to the nearest classroom or office that is open and secure yourself inside. Follow the instructions from LockNow App or authorities on how to deal with the specific emergency. For example, if there is a gas leak, do not use any open flames or sparks and ventilate the area by opening windows and doors. If there is a bomb threat, do not touch or move any suspicious objects and report them to authorities.
4. If you are outdoors, move away from the source of the emergency and go to a safe location. Follow the instructions from LockNow App or authorities on how to deal with the specific emergency. For example, if there is a chemical spill, avoid contact with any spilled substances and cover your nose and mouth with a cloth or mask. If there is a pandemic outbreak, practice social distancing and wear a face mask and gloves.
5. Stay in contact with LockNow App throughout the incident. Follow any updates or instructions from LockNow App or authorities.

Crisis Response Conclusion

Emergencies are unpredictable and can happen at any time and place. Schools must have a well prepared crisis response plan to be prepared to deal with any type of emergency that may occur on their premises or nearby areas. One of the tools that can help schools with this is LockNow App, a software that sells to schools to help with emergency communication during a crisis.

LockNow App is a mobile and web-based application that allows schools to send instant alerts, share live messages, and customize options for different types of emergencies. LockNow App can help schools save time, reduce confusion and panic, and improve coordination and collaboration during a crisis. LockNow App can also help schools comply with the federal, state, and local regulations and standards for school emergency management.

If you are interested in learning more about LockNow App or want to try it out for your school, please visit our website locknowapp.com or contact us at team@locknowapp.com. If you would like assistance with your crisis response plan, reach out to us at the same email.   We would love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have. Stay safe!

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