The Beacon Editorial Staff

Be Informed, Be Prepared, Live

Some time this week Southern Maine Community College will be conducting an Emergency Lockdown exercise. The exercise will only be a drill with the intent of helping SMCC access how well and what aspects of the response need fine-tuning. The day and time of the drill has not and will not be announced.

Last Friday, Tiffanie Bentley, SMCC Dean of Students, informed the SMCC community via email of the exercise. While there is no one size fits all set of guidelines for responding to an active shooter scenario there is information on the Safety and Security page of My Maine Guide that specifically pertains to an active shooter scenario. There are also guidelines for reporting a person of concern.

Emergency Alerts via email and cellphone are also available and signing up for the service is free and simple. After logging onto My Maine Guide (the student portal), enter your cell phone number in the “SMCC Emergency Alerts” box at the bottom of the page.

Below are guidelines that should be followed during the exercise.

 Remain calm. Encourage others to remain calm.

 Lock or barricade all doors if possible.

 If possible, cover any windows or openings that have a direct line of sight into a hallway.

 Shut the blinds or pull the shades down. Turn off the lights and try to give the impression that the room is empty.

 Stay low, away from windows and doors.

 Sit on the floor or crouch under or behind desks and bookshelves to be as invisible as possible.

 Put all cell phones into vibrate or silent mode.

 Call Security only if new or specific information becomes available regarding the location or conduct of the intruder or if the status of the emergency changes.

 Be as quiet as possible.

 DO NOT respond to anyone at the door until you receive an “all clear” emergency alert from the College.  Emergency alerts include text messages, emails, phone messages, or messages flashed on college-owned computer screens.

 If police enter your secured area and direct you to leave, assist others in moving as quietly and quickly as possible.

 Do not pull the fire alarm in the building unless there is a fire. People may be in danger when attempting to evacuate the building. If a fire alarm does go off during a lockdown, do not evacuate unless you smell smoke or see fire in your

 If you are outside a building when a lockdown is announced and it is safe to do so, run into the nearest building and follow the above instructions.

 If it is not safe to run into a building, hide behind a large heavy object (such as a vehicle or tree). Notify Security of your location when it is safe to do so.

 Be aware of alternate exits in case it becomes necessary to evacuate.

 Individuals should not attempt to leave a building until told to do so by police, or an “all clear” emergency alert that is issued by the College.