Emergency Preparedness

Appendix H.14 – HOSTAGE

Kern Medical Emergency Preparedness

and provide support as liaison.  The Engineer on duty or the Engineering Department director will obtain a grand master key and floor plans for the affected area for responding law enforcement agencies  Upon the announcement of a Code Silver, all Kern Medical associates shall:  Initiate a “shelter-in-place” response • In the event of a “Code Silver Exterior” all Kern Medical associates shall:  Remain within the relative safety of the building(s) until the situation is resolved and the “all clear” is announced.  Take necessary steps to prevent patients and visitors from leaving the relative safety of the building.  In the event of a “Code Silver - Location” all associates shall: o Associates located in the affected department(s) or on the same floor adjacent to the “Code Silver - Location” close and lock doors to patient areas or rooms to “shelter-in- place.” Where feasible and safe, evacuation may be initiated by using fire evacuation routes and fire stairwells. Extreme caution shall be exercised in determining whether or not an evacuation will be initiated. o Associates in all other locations shall initiate a shelter-in- place response and remain at the location until an “all clear” announcement is made:  Do not allow visitors or patients to leave the safety of the unit.  Remain calm and reassure patients and visitors the situation is being managed.  Refrain from calling the operator or Security Department to inquire about updates. The “all clear” announcement will be made when the incident is stabilized and under control.  Patients, visitors or staff may be at risk of being confronted by a person with a weapon or of being involved in a hostage situation. If such a situation arises, staff members should not attempt to intervene or negotiate. It must be noted that orders given under conditions of duress (e.g. if the hostage is the head nurse) are not to be followed, regardless of who

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