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Emergency Preparedness

Lock Down Procedures


Pacific Lutheran University

Lock Down & Evacuation Procedures  for Imminent Threats of Violence


PURPOSE
A lock down procedure will be used in an attempt to minimize the risk of violence and increase the safety of university students, employees and guests by restricting access and visibility by a threatening person or event internal or external to the university.

POLICY
Students, staff, and faculty must report threatening activities to Campus Safety by calling 7911.

Students, staff and faculty who have reason to believe that there is an imminent threat of violence that could result in loss of life or serious injury are encouraged to take independent protective action. 

The Campus Safety officer on duty will determine when to initiate a lock down or evacuation of one or more campus buildings when there is a clear and imminent threat.

Any person who knowingly initiates a false report that results in a lock down response of campus will be referred for disciplinary action to the appropriate university officer, Student Conduct, Human Resources, and/or the Pierce County Sheriff. The University will consider a knowingly false report of imminent danger a very serious offense and will respond accordingly.

IMMINENT THREAT OF VIOLENCE
A threat of violence MAY include, but is not limited to, a person on or near campus with a weapon, the lock down of nearby schools, or significant law enforcement action in the neighborhood adjacent to campus.

Lock Down Procedure:

Building Occupants (Faculty/Staff/Students) Procedure

WHAT TO DO IF OUTSIDE OR EXPOSED TO IMMEDIATE THREAT
If you are outside or in an exposed area, you must decide the best course of action for your own safety.

Hide
Go inside the nearest building. If you can not safely get inside a building, use bushes, trees, walls, and benches for cover.

Run
If you think you can safely make it out of the area, then do so. If you decide to run, do not run in a straight line. Try to keep objects, such as trees, garbage cans, buildings, and cars, between you and the hostile person. 

Play Dead
If the intruder is causing death or physical injury to others and you are unable to run or hide, you may choose to assume a prone position and lay as still as possible.

Fight
Your last option, if caught in the open and in close proximity to the intruder is to fight back. This is dangerous and not recommended, but depending on your situation this could be your last option.

Caught
If you are caught by the intruder and are not going to fight back, obey all commands and avoid eye contact. Obey all commands of emergency personnel when they arrive on scene and take over the situation.