Emergency Protocol

INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES | Hour Zero

02 On Alert ENG

Be watchful and prepared to act

ON ALERT

If you hear "ON -ALERT" without any additional instructions 

  • All persons are directed back to their classroom, or to the next class if they are on a break.  
  • If outside, all persons return to the building.
  • Attendance is taken and status is reported. 
  • Wait for further instructions from incident commander (typically the principal or vice principal). 
  • Movement is restricted in and out of the room until the incident commander gives the all clear.

 

COMMUNICATION: Once the protocol has been initiated, families will be notified as necessary. Information may be sent out in one or more of the following ways: email, website, phone, Edsby and Facebook. There are some situations where it is not necessary for the school to communicate with families (medical emergency, etc.)  If the emergency situation persists past dismissal time the incident commander may choose to do a modified or controlled Student Release (see below).

05 HaS ENG

Threat of Violence OUTSIDE the building

HOLD AND SECURE

 

  • There is a THREAT or POTENTIAL THREAT OF VIOLENCE in close proximity to, or in the general vicinity of the school. Examples can include: a crime in progress, police pursuit or search in the same neighbourhood as the school.
     
  • As a precaution all exterior doors to the school are locked and a notification strobe is activated on the outside of the building.
     
  • The school operates as normal, inside the building. Any outdoor activities, field trips, etc. are cancelled.
     
  • As the incident is occurring outside, access to and from the school is restricted and carefully monitored until the incident commander issues the ALL CLEAR.
COMMUNICATION: Once the protocol has been initiated, families will be notified as soon as it is safe to do so. Information may be sent out in one or more of the following ways: email, website, phone, Edsby and Facebook. If an emergency situation persists past dismissal time the incident commander may choose to do a modified or controlled Student Release (see below). 

03 S I P ENG

No threat of violence, it is safer inside. 

SHELTER IN PLACE

 

  • When it is safer to be INSIDE the school than outside and there is no threat of violence. Examples can include: dangerous goods spill, medical situation inside the school and hallways need to be clear for emergency responders, wildlife on the playground, tornado, etc.
     
  • When this occurs, students/staff will be moved to safer spaces; students may remain in a classroom or move to another space.
     
  • Access to and from the school may be restricted depending on the nature of the emergency.
     
  • The protocol will continue until the incident commander issues the ALL CLEAR.
COMMUNICATION: Once the protocol has been initiated, families will be notified as necessary. Information may be sent out in one or more of the following ways: email, website, phone, Edsby, and Facebook. There are some situations where it is not necessary for the school to communicate with families (medical emergency, etc.)  If the emergency situation persists past dismissal time the incident commander may choose to do a modified or controlled Student Release (see below).

06 Evac ENG

It is safer outside than inside.  

EVACUATION

 

  • There is possible danger INSIDE the school. Examples can include; fire, gas leak, building damage, etc.
                      
  • Students will be escorted by staff to a safe location outside.
     
  • No one will re-enter the school until the incident commander issues the ALL CLEAR.
     
  • As needed, students/staff may be relocated to an off-site evacuation centre.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
COMMUNICATION: Once the protocol has been initiated, families will be notified as necessary.  Information may be sent out in one or more of the following ways: email, website, phone, Edsby, and Facebook.. There are some situations where it is not necessary for the school to communicate with families (medical emergency, etc.)  If the emergency situation persists past dismissal time the incident commander may choose to do a modified or controlled Student Release (see below).

04 Lock Down ENG

Threat of Violence INSIDE the building 

LOCK DOWN

 

  • There is an immediate THREAT OF VIOLENCE to students and staff INSIDE the school building. Examples can include: an active shooter, armed intruder or hostile incident inside the building. 
     
  • The main objective of a Lock Down is to keep the maximum number of people safe by getting them behind locked doors. 
     
  • In a Lock Down, doors/windows are secured and lights are turned off, phones are silenced; everyone remains quiet and out of sight.
     
  • No one is allowed in or out of the school or their secured area. 
     
  • A Lock Down remains in effect until the ALL CLEAR is issued AND doors are unlocked by the incident commander (or designate) and/or police.
COMMUNICATION: In the event of a Lock Down it may not be possible to communicate with families until after the incident has ended, to ensure effective police response. Families will be notified as soon as it is safe to do so, with timely updates and detailed instructions on how to proceed, in one or more of the following ways: Edsby, email, school website, phone and social media. Depending upon the severity of the situation that occurred, once the ALL CLEAR has been issued, students and staff may be transported to a reunification centre and released to their parent or an authorized adult through a controlled Student Release process (see below). 
08 All Clear ENG 1

ALL CLEAR

  • When the incident is brought to a closure.
  • The protocol continues until the ALL CLEAR being called.  

NOTE: The incident commander is in charge of the situation and is permitted to activate any member of the School Emergency Response Team and delegate responsibilities to assist with addressing the emergency. 

STUDENT RELEASE

A controlled student release team will be in place, as needed, to coordinate and direct the safe reunification of students with their parents or an authorized adult. In the event of a controlled student release, parents will be permitted to sign their child out from the school or evacuation centre after showing photo identification. Parents must follow due process to ensure the safety of all students and staff. Students that are 18yrs old and over can sign themselves out.

FAMILIES PLEASE DO & PLEASE DON'T

DO keep calm and only access emergency information from your school, emergency officials, and school/mhpsd based social media pages. Rest assured that school and emergency officials are doing everything to ensure child and staff safety.

DO Watch for live updates via school messenger (phone/text/email), school websites and social media.

DON'T call or text your child during an emergency situation. Calls and texts during an emergency can be disruptive, cause panic, and put people at a higher risk by disclosing their location or drawing attention to them. 

DON'T call the school as phone lines need to stay open for emergency communications.

DON'T come to the school. Public interference makes it difficult for emergency officials to respond to the situation and creates additional risks for everyone involved.

EMERGENCY DRILLS

  • Schools are required to conduct practice drills several times throughout the school year
     
  • Practice drills can occur at any time
     
  • There will be no official information provided regarding these drills from the division level 
     
  • Schools are not required to communicate about drills, but may choose to do so at their discretion

Updated April 2026