Emergency Preparedness

Appendix H.14 – HOSTAGE

Kern Medical Emergency Preparedness

gives them, except to save lives in case of imminent danger.  All associates should know what to do if taken hostage. The following guidelines are from trained hostage negotiators: o Do everything the hostage-taker says to do o Be especially careful during the first 5 minutes, as the captor is probably as desperate and nervous as the victim o Speak only when spoken to...do not make wisecracks o Try not to show emotions openly...captors play off emotions and take advantage of emotional weaknesses o Sit down if possible to appear less aggressive o Act relaxed as this may relax the hostage-taker o Weigh carefully any chance to escape to be sure that escape is certain and no one else is endangered o Be patient...help is coming. Have faith in negotiators o Do not make suggestions to the hostage-taker. If they go wrong, the captor will think you were trying to trick him or create problems  At the discretion of Administration, the HICS system may be initiated • Secondary Response  The Hostage Negotiator will attempt to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.  Senior security staff will be assigned to monitor the unaffected portion of the facility to insure that the disruptive activity does not spread to other areas.  Care will be taken to insure that the hostage situation is not a cover for some other disruptive activity.  Maintenance staff may be called upon to shut off utilities, (i.e. plumbing, water, lights, air conditioning, etc), in the area to create “bargaining chips.”  Food Services personnel may be called upon to produce meals and/or snacks as bargaining chips.  All reasonable resources will be utilized to bring the incident to a successful conclusion. • Conclusion of Code Silver  At the conclusion of the event, the Operator shall announce “Code

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