UNBC’s Safety, Security & Risk Management Department works diligently to ensure the safety and security of all members of the UNBC Community. We live in an unpredictable world and all we can do is our best to be as prepared as possible for an active threat situation.

An active threat is any situation in which a person may be subject to an immediate threat or in imminent danger from a hostile person. These violent acts can happen anywhere so it is important to recognize when we are in danger of being harmed and to be able to act to prevent a violent episode or to survive if we are caught in a violent situation.

Response to an active threat

We would anticipate that employees, students and visitors take immediate protective action which includes the seeking of shelter and silence:

Get Out

If it is safe to do so, get out and away as quietly and quickly as possible.

• Help others escape if possible, warn others around you
• Call 911 and provide details of the event, including an accurate description of the person’s, type of weapon and direction of travel or building entered
• Follow directions from emergency personnel
• If you are caught in an open or exposed area and decide to run, do not run in a straight line and attempt to keep objects (trees, vehicles, trash cans etc.) between you and the hostile person. 
• When away from the immediate area of danger, summon help and warn others.

Hide

If you cannot escape safely find a place to hide.

• Remain in or seek a room that can be secured from the inside.  If the doors cannot be locked do your best to barricade them.
• Call 911 and provide details of the event, including an accurate description of the person’s, type of weapon and direction of travel or building entered
• Close and secure the windows, blinds and curtains and stay away from them
• Keep phones switched on but ringers turned to silent
• Turn off the lights if possible and all audio equipment
• Try to remain as calm as possible
• Remain in secure location until additional information is provided by emergency personnel (Safety and Security or jurisdictional Police).  Follow their directions precisely as given.

Fight

As a last resort, if you are caught in the open or in an exposed area in close proximity to the hostile person, fight for your life.

• Act as aggressively possible against him/her
• Throw items and improvise weapons from your surroundings
• Commit to your actions

There are two types of directions within an Evacuation Plan, an evacuation or shelter-in-place. The most appropriate one will be selected to address the varied magnitude of ‘all hazards’ threat and disaster.

1. Evacuation – is the action by which one or more persons leave the place they are occupying to avoid a real or potential threat.
2. Shelter-in Place – is the measure that consists of inviting a population to stay inside their homes or the building where they are waiting for the end of the threat and to take certain precautions.

Prepare Yourself

We would encourage the entire UNBC community to examine their environment, wherever they may be.

• Recognize inappropriate behavior and language and report it to security
• Promote respect by resolving conflict and defusing hostility
• Familiarize yourself with exits, escape routes and assembly areas for the part of a building you are in

 Police or Emergency Personnel Arrival

• Do not run towards emergency responders unless directed to do so
• Keep your hands visible at all times
• Remain calm and follow the officer's instructions
• You will likely be required to remain and answer questions