Security

Should you require a Security escort to your vehicle, overflow parking lot in Kelowna, or to any destination on campus, please call the security cell number for your campus.

Please note the following availability:

• Kelowna - security available 24-7
• Penticton - security available regular hours only
• Vernon - security available regular hours only

Kelowna Campus Security: 250-762-5445
Penticton Campus Security:  250-762-5445
Salmon Arm Campus Security: 250-762-5445
Vernon Campus Security: 250-762-5445

Active threat relates to one or more individuals who is actively and indiscriminately engaged causing serious injury or death to multiple victims.

If faced with an active threat incident, there are three things you can do that make a difference: Run, Hide or Defend.

Run: If safe to do so; run
•    Get as far away as you can. 
•    Leave your belongings behind.
•    Take as many people with you as is safe, seek shelter, do not stand in an open area such as a parking lot.
•    Advise others not to enter the danger zone.
•    Call Police – 911 as soon as it is safe to do so.

Hide: If you cannot evacuate; hide. 
•    If you are in a corridor, go into the nearest room not already secured and lock or barricade the door with whatever heavy objects you can find.
•    Stay away from the door frame and close window blinds where possible.
•    Stay low, and be quiet. 
•    If you can call 911 from this position without making noise, do it. 
•    Set cell phones to silent mode. 
•    Stay hidden until you receive the all clear from law enforcement.

Defend: The last resort, if you can’t escape or hide and your life is in danger; defend.
•    There is strength in numbers – work as a group to attempt to incapacitate the attacker.
•    Act with physical aggression.
•    Improvise weapons – fire extinguisher, chairs.
•    Commit to your actions.
•    Once the attacker is incapacitated, call Police – 911.

Information to 911 
Call 911 as soon as it is safe to do so. You may be asked to provide information on the following:
•    Your location. 
•    Shooter’s location and physical description. 
•    Number of shooter(s). 
•    Number and type of weapons. 
•    Number of potential victims at location.

When Law Enforcement Arrives:
The first officers to arrive on scene are focused on stopping the threat and may not assist the injured. Medical rescue teams will follow once the area is secure. These rescue teams will treat and remove the injured once it is safe to do so.
•    Keep your EMPTY hands raised and visible.
•    Remain calm.
•    Follow instructions from law enforcement.
•    Avoid sudden movements toward officers. 

Police may secure all witnesses until identified and questioned. After the incident, you may be kept in a safe area to collect statements. Do not leave the area until police have instructed you to do so. 
 

What is Shelter in Place

• An alert will be issued telling you where the threat is occurring and directing you to initiate the Shelter In Place Protocol.
• If you are in the building where the Active Threat is occurring, follow the ‘Get Out, Hide, Fight’ actions.
• If you are outdoors, seek shelter.

Actions to Avoid

• Do not hide in washrooms
• Do not travel down long corridors
• Do not assemble in large open areas such as cafeterias
• Limit calling 911 while sheltering unless you have immediate concern for the safety of yourself or others, or if you feel you have critical information.

Seek and Share Shelter

• Shelter in rooms which can be locked from the inside and stay away from windows, doors and outside walls.
• Close all outside doors and every door inside the building.
• Close all windows.
• Do not use kitchen or bathroom vents.
• Stay secure until information is provided by emergency personnel.

Following the incident

• For their own safety, emergency personnel must initially consider all individuals as potential threats. It is important to follow instructions from police at all times to avoid harm and ensure the best possible response.
• Police may require you to remain available for questioning after the incident.

There are a number of situations that may require you to evacuate a building. The reason may not always be clear so follow the directions of security or emergency response personnel. If you live in Residence, Residence Advisors have been trained in fire safety and evacuation procedures and will be able to assist you during an emergency.

If you see a fire or smell smoke, pull the fire alarm.  When the fire alarm is activated or you are asked to evacuate for any reason: 

• It must be taken seriously - everyone must evacuate immediately even if there are no apparent signs of an emergency.
• Leave your belongings and move quickly and safely to the nearest exit.
• Do not rush or crowd.
• Close windows and door(s) on the way out if possible.
• If stairwells are obstructed or filled with fire or smoke, use an alternate escape route. You should be familiar with at least two different exit routes.
• Classes should remain as a group while exiting the building and remain as a group at the assembly area so all personnel may be accounted for.
• Use the stairs; DO NOT use elevators.
• Never open a closed door without checking it for heat first. If the door is hot, DO NOT open it. If it is not hot, open it slowly, standing to one side and be prepared to shut it quickly if fire is present.
• Watch for falling glass and other hazards as you leave the building.
• Proceed to the nearest assembly area.
• Report anyone who may still be in the building to the emergency responders.
• DO NOT RE-ENTER THE BUILDING until emergency personnel have given the ‘All Clear’.

Consider the following if applicable and safe to do so:

• Gas Leak: Do not turn on/off any electrical equipment including lights or fire alarms.
• Building Flood: Avoid contact with water as it could be electrically charged.
• Power Outage: Turn off equipment and machinery.
• Hazardous Material: Secure hazardous materials and processes.

Evacuation Procedures for Wheelchair Users and Persons with Mobility Challenges

• In the event of a building evacuation, wheelchair users and other persons with mobility disabilities should proceed, or be assisted, to a designated area of refuge unless otherwise directed by emergency responders.
• At Okanagan College, areas of refuge are located within fire rated stairwells, which are designed to provide temporary protection from smoke and fire until assistance arrives.

The following procedures apply:

• Individuals may evacuate independently if safe to do so, or may be assisted by a willing helper, provided this can be done safely and without risk to either party.
• If evacuation using stairs is not possible, the individual should remain in the area of refuge, where they are protected by fire resistant construction.
• Another person must immediately notify emergency responders of the individual’s location, either: 
• Directly, if responders are on scene, or
• At the designated muster point by providing the building name, stairwell location, and floor number.
• Individuals should not be left alone without ensuring emergency responders are aware of their location.

Emergency responders are trained to conduct assisted evacuations and will prioritize persons located in areas of refuge.

If trapped by fire:

• Block smoke from entering the room by closing the doors and placing damp cloth material around/under doors.
• Signal your location - call 911 and give the fire department your exact location (room number); if this is not possible, be prepared to signal from a window.
• DO NOT open the window or break glass unless absolutely necessary - this may draw smoke into the room from outside the building or provide oxygen/fuel to the first inside.

Caught in smoke:

• Stay calm.
• Drop to your knees and crawl.
• Breathe shallowly through your nose, holding your breath as long as possible. Use a damp cloth over your mouth and nose to filter out the smoke.
• You may have to evacuate with limited visibility - know in advance how many doors you will have to pass along your evacuation route before you reach the nearest exit. 
• In heavy smoke, crouch down low and crawl along the base of the hallway wall and count the number of doors you pass. You will then know when you have reached the exit door - even if you can’t see that it is an exit.

Clothing on fire:

• Yours - STOP where you are, DROP to the floor, ROLL on the floor
• Someone else's - Grab a blanket, rug or coat and wrap them in it to smother the flames.

If you receive a bomb threat by email or text: Do not delete or reply to the message. Screenshot or save it and call 911 (Police) and Campus Security 250-317-2435 immediately.

If you receive a bomb threat by phone, stay calm and speak to the caller with a pleasant tone.

Let the caller know that you are willing to cooperate by listening to what they have to say.

By indicating your willingness to cooperate, you may be able to keep the caller on the line for a longer duration so that you can build trust and try to ask the following questions:

• Where is the bomb?
• When is it set to go off?
• What kind of bomb is it?
• What does it look like? (the appearance of the container)

Permit the caller to say as much as possible without interruption and take note of everything said.

Record the caller’s phone number and the time of the call.

Be aware of background noise, special voice characteristics (stutter, accent, language, male, female), music, machinery etc.

Call 911 (Police) and Campus Security 250-317-2435 as soon as the call has ended.

Suspicious Package

If you see a package or a foreign object in an unusual place, don’t touch it.

• Clear the immediate area quietly (verbally notify nearby occupants, avoid panic).
• Do not use the fire alarm to achieve evacuation of the area.
• Call 911 (Police) and Campus Security 250-317-2435
• Follow instructions given by emergency responders.