A valid consideration is the balance between the need for realistic practice so people can function properly under stress and the fear that can be created in the campus community. Another legitimate concern is the potential danger of broadcasting all action steps for emergency lockdowns. For example, a number of multiple victim campus shootings have involved students. This raises a concern that an assailant could use his or her knowledge of lockdown procedures to his or her advantage in maximizing casualties.
One option is to have students participate in preventive lockdown drills but not emergency lockdown drills. One advantage with this approach is that it helps students learn what they need to know (quickly identify the nearest lockable space and follow the directions of a staff member) while not widely distributing the specific techniques employed during an emergency lockdown (such as making students lie on the floor after moving away from doors and windows).
Open Campuses Remain a Challenge
One type of institution, however, that continues to have significant barriers to instant, campus-wide lockdowns is the sprawling campus that has multiple access points. Almost no one would expect Middleton, Wisc., Hanover, N.H., or Suwanee, Ga., — all cities with populations of less than 18,000 — to be able to instantaneously lockdown. The same cannot be said, however, regarding the public’s expectations of higher education and healthcare campuses, many of which have populations of 20,000 or more.
Inevitably at a new student orientation, the concerned parent of an incoming freshman will ask administrators if the campus has the ability to lockdown. For many campuses that are open, have hundreds of buildings and have major city streets or rural roads running through them, instant lockdowns just aren’t practical.
That said, there are some things open campuses can do to improve their ability to limit movement during an emergency. Card access control systems can be installed in new construction, residence halls, administrative buildings containing confidential information, research laboratories and other high risk locations. Although it might not be feasible to lockdown an entire campus without massive retrofits (and the significant costs associated with them), buildings can be closed on an individual basis.
Developing emergency plans so the institution responds appropriately to a threat is also recommended. Again, emphasizing the ability of all staff to impellent self directed lockdown as well as acting with direction is important and may help address these types of questions.
Lockdown Obstacles are Not Insurmountable
Educational organizations face a variety of challenges in developing and implementing viable lockdown protocols. Fortunately, a motivated and caring planning team comprised of campus as well as area public safety officials can overcome most challenges that arise.
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Michael Dorn serves as the Executive Director of Safe Havens International, a non profit international campus safety center. He can be reached at www.safehavensinternational.org.
