The degree to which employees are able to survive an actual act of violence in the workplace may depend greatly upon recognition of potential problems and the measures taken in advance of an incident.

Following are the basic building blocks for the development of a departmental safety plan, to be included as part of the department Disaster Preparedness Plan:

• Identify the physical security needs of the department
• Discuss and coordinate emergency strategies with department employees
• To the extent possible, arrange for limited and authorized access to the affected work area
• Establish protocol for calling the Police (emergency/non-emergency)
• Develop prearranged office procedures to alert others to the need for help
• Develop a procedure to cease normal operations and secure the premises
• Outline emergency evacuation procedures
• Evaluate the need for security alarm, panic button, surveillance cameras, security personnel, etc.

Employees should mentally "map out" a personal survival strategy in the event of workplace violence.

Workplace violence incidents will differ greatly and each situation will dictate a different response. The particular circumstances of a given situation will suggest which of, and in which order, the following should occur:

• Report to the Police by dialing 9-1-1 at the safest opportunity
• Alert others (signals, codes, alarms)
• Activate prearranged safety and security plan
• Secure surroundings, lock doors
• If appropriate, evacuate employees/leave the area

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