McARTHUR HIGH SCHOOL
EMERGENCY CODES
9/9/15
FIRE ALARM
1. Direct students with their belongings to follow the designated route to exit the building
2. Take clipboard with attendance sheet
3. Turn OFF lights
4. Leave door CLOSED and UNLOCKED (so the room can be entered)
5. Escort students outside building to designated area
6. Confirm that all of your students are present and maintain order
7. Wait for an administrator to announce that you can re-enter the building
CODE RED - EMERGENCY LOCKDOWN
1. Full Lockdown of all classrooms
2. Gather students and bring them inside your room
3. Lock doors and windows
4. Move away from windows
5. Place Green card in the window of the classroom door if everyone is safe and uninjured
6. Place Red card in the window of the classroom door if there is a problem
7. Code Green will end this code
CODE YELLOW:
1. Full Lockdown of all classrooms
2. Follow Code Red Guidelines
3. Some classes will be moved to alternate locations
4. Listen to announcements for alternate assignments
CODE ORANGE:
1. Evacuation-Possible Fire Alarm Bell
2. Do NOT lock doors
3. Have students take valuables and backpacks
4. Take clipboard with attendance sheet
5. Your normal evacuation routes may be changed-due to the situations
6. If you hear the announcement over the intercom, Code Orange, EVACUATE NOW, please take your
students out.
7. If the announcement says Code Orange EVACUATE NOW EAST, please take your students to the east
side of West Hollywood Elementary.
8. If the announcement says Code Orange EVACUATE NOW WEST, please take your students to the
softball field.
CODE BLACK:
1. Bomb Threat
2. Turn off all walkie-talkies, cell phones, pagers, and radios
3. Leave on all lights, fans, etc
4. May be followed by a complete lockdown, CRT activation, or evacuation
Bomb Threat Procedures – In the event that a bomb threat is received, administration will advise both
faculty and staff as to the specific procedures that will be followed. If an evacuation of the school is
needed, please move ALL students as far from the building as safety permits. Specific evacuation routes
will be given to each teacher.
CODE BLUE:
1. Medical emergency such as asthma attack, choking, fainting, etc.
EMERGENCY EVACUATION:
Evacuation of the school building is important at times of emergencies to insure the safety of all personnel
within the building. The signal for an emergency evacuation (fire drill/tornado evacuation) is the fire alarm.
Verbal commands may be utilized as well over the PA system.
In case the fire alarm system is inoperative, a series of short bells will be used.
Teacher responsibility:
Post a school map in your classroom with the emergency exit clearly marked.
Instruct each class in emergency procedures. Sound the NEAREST alarm in case of fire.
Escort your class to the assigned area out of the building as outline on the emergency evacuation map.
Insure restrooms are cleared of students.
Classes are to be assembled away from building to allow for a fire lane.
Teachers must remain with their class at all times.
Procedure:
Teachers must make sure they have a current class roster attached to the clipboard next to the door at all
times.
Keep your students together in your designated area. Keep your students at least 100 feet from the building.
Keep all students off and out of cars.
No smoking.
Have your students take all of their materials with them that they normally would not leave in the classroom.
*Signal for classes to return will be one long ring of the school bell.
*Teachers unassigned to classes during emergencies must be familiar with exit routes and will assist in
evacuation procedures.
*Teachers assigned to portables should familiarize themselves with surrounding terrain.
TORNADO –
1. Teachers should completely familiarize themselves with shelter assignments for their classes. If you have
questions about your shelter, please see the administrator in charge of evacuations.
2. Teachers who remain in their classrooms should have students line up against the designated wall and
prepare for the command, “Everybody down, crouch on elbows and knees! Hands over back of head!” Please
demonstrate this protective technique to your classes before the drill to avoid any misunderstanding. Remind
your students that most tornado deaths result from head injuries.
3. Security personnel will clear the physical education fields and portables and will patrol the perimeter of the
school directing students to the appropriate shelter areas.
4. After the drill, return to your classrooms and resume class activities.
If you have suggestions on ways to improve future drills, please see the administrator in charge; your
recommendations are appreciated.