Emergency Preparedness

Appendix H.14 – HOSTAGE

Kern Medical Emergency Preparedness

HOSTAGE/WEAPON SITUATION (Code Silver) PURPOSE: To provide guidance in the event a person with a weapon or a hostage incident occurs at Kern Medical that will minimize the risk to patients, staff and visitors at Kern Medical and assist law enforcement in locating and disarming the suspect(s). DEFINITIONS: • Weapon’s: at Kern Medical includes:  Any form of weapon or explosive restricted under local, state or federal regulation including all firearms, knives or other weapons covered by statute.  Objects, instruments or devices intended to be used to inflict injury by the user on another.  Any liquids or aerosol designed to cause irritation (chemical mace, capsicum – pepper spray”, etc.) • Hostage Incident - is a situation in which a person or persons holds another person(s) against his or her will by force, threat, or violence to either protect him/herself or in an attempt to force some action on the part of the staff/facility. • Code Silver “Exterior” - Report of a person(s) using or displaying a weapon or a hostage event outside of Kern Medical buildings but on the Kern Medical campus. • Code Silver “Location” - Report of a person(s) using or displaying a weapon or a hostage event inside of Kern Medical buildings (example: “Code Silver ICU”) • Shelter-in-Place - A response that requires staying inside a place of safety to avoid possible dangers outside. • Facility Lockdown- The locking of all exterior doors to the facility. POLICY STATEMENT: In view of the escalating presence of weapons in the healthcare environment, it is the policy of Kern Medical to respond to incidents involving persons with weapons or hostage incidents at KMH in a manner that will most likely ensure the safety and security with minimal exposure to injury of patients, visitors and staff. Trained law enforcement personnel are best qualified for managing armed persons and hostage situations; therefore Kern Medical’s response is a shelter-in-place for all but those directly involved in such incidents.

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