It used to be that the word “lockdown” was only used in reference to an emergency protocol to restrict movement in a prison environment. Today, unfortunately the term is becoming more commonly used in many environments to describe measures taken under certain conditions of threat. Many buildings on the Washington Navy Yard were placed into lockdown when a gunman opened fire in a crowded cafeteria on the campus. Lockdowns, along with building evacuation and sheltering procedures, are an integral part of an emergency plan that can save lives.
These best practices are foundational mechanisms that enable effective, efficient and collaborative incident management by on-site personnel and first responders. Specialized technologies such as key control and management systems are an additional resource that can further facilitate incident management and help ensure the safety of the building’s occupants.