Lockdown Drill

On Friday, September 14th, 2012, a lock down drill was conducted at the Professional Business College located at 408 Broadway, New York, 10013. I was assisted with the process by Brendan Keane, Associate Director of the Long Island Business Institute's Homeland Security/Security Management program.

1. PURPOSE:

The purpose of the lockdown drill was to test the planning process and the procedures developed in the event of an internal or external threat to the school community.

2. PLANNING:

A lockdown policy was developed by the Homeland Security and Security Management program at Long Island Business Institute, a sister school to PBC. This policy highlighted the requirements for a lockdown drill; the overall process involved in a lockdown or lockdown drill; and the roles and responsibilities of faculty who would be teaching a class at the time of an actual lockdown or lockdown drill; non teaching faculty and staff personnel; and students. Each room at the campus was inspected to determine "secure" rooms which would be utilized in the event of an actual lockdown or drill. Handouts detailing roles and responsibilities, the location of secure rooms on each floor of each campus, and a feedback form were developed for distribution to each audience. Once we established a time and date was determined for the lockdown drill, this information was communicated via email to each faculty and staff member. On the day of the drill, each faculty member and each staff person who would be present during the drill timeframe was briefed and handouts outlining their responsibilities during a lockdown were distributed. Email and text messages were sent in advance to alert the community to the initiation of the lockdown drill.

3. EXECUTION AND RESULTS:

The drill for this campus (408 Broadway) was initiated at 1p.m… The drill covered all floors of the campus simultaneously. Faculty, staff and students responded quickly and effectively to the announcement of "Drill, drill, drill, lockdown, lockdown, lockdown." Within 30 seconds all personnel were located in secure rooms. All rooms, except one classroom, were locked and lights were off. No one was visible except in one classroom where a teacher and some students were visible. They were advised of the correct procedure to follow. Faculty and staff behaved responsibly and students reacted well to their instructors' directions. No incorrect behaviors other than those cited above were noted during the drill. Overall, the staff, faculty and students of PBC performed correctly and effectively.

4. OVERALL ASSESSMENT:

A. Faculty, students, and staff, with minor exceptions, were prepared for the initiation of the drill and conducted themselves according to the procedures briefed and distributed to them.

B. Overall, the policy and procedures developed were effective in planning and conducting the lockdown drills.

5. For your information and review.

Dick Colt
Homeland Security/ Security Management program
Long Island Business Institute

Brendan Keane
Associate Director, Homeland Security/ Security Management program
Long Island Business Institute