Purpose

To ensure timely and appropriate activation of community emergency services (fire, rescue, emergency medical services, or police) in situations that threaten the health, safety, or well-being of students, staff, or others on site.

Policy Statement

In the event of urgent and/or life-threatening circumstances (as defined within), staff are authorized and expected to initiate emergency calls to 911 without delay. This policy applies to both students, staff, or others on site.

Procedures

1. Direct Access to 911
   • If staff can access an outside telephone line, they are authorized to call 911 immediately for emergency assistance
2. Indirect Access
   • If an outside telephone line is not accessible, staff will promptly notify the supervisor or available administrator, who will initiate the 911 call.
3. Supervisor Notification for Non-Urgent Situations
   • If the circumstances are potentially dangerous, but not urgent and/or immediately life-threatening, staff will notify the supervisor for further instructions.
4. Police Involvement
   • If the situation might require police intervention rather than fire/rescue or medical services, staff will notify the supervisor.
   • The supervisor is authorized to determine further action, including notifying external authorities or administration.

Special Note: When a staff member exhibits symptoms suggestive of a potential medical emergency (e.g., chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden confusion, loss of consciousness, severe allergic reaction), staff are authorized to initiate a 911 call immediately, even if the staff member verbally declines.  This decision prioritizes safety and ensures rapid medical evaluation by emergency responder.

Definitions

Urgent and/or Life-Threatening Circumstances
A situation that:

• Poses an immediate and unexpected risk to health, life, or property, requiring urgent intervention from community services.
• Cannot be safely or effectively managed by Hillcrest personnel, supervisors, managers, or administrators alone.
• Represents a present and unfolding crisis that threatens lives or major property damage.

Examples

Examples of Urgent and/or Life-Threatening Circumstances (includes, but are not limited to):

• A person (student, staff, or others on site) has lost consciousness, cannot breathe, or is bleeding heavily.
• A person (student, staff, or others on site) exhibits symptoms suggestive of a serious medical emergency, such as chest pain, severe shortness of breath, sudden confusion, and severe allergic reaction.
• A fire in a building.
• Major storm damage threatening safety.

Examples of Situations Not Constituting Urgent/Life-Threatening Circumstances:

• A student is verbally or physically threatening, destroying property, or running away.
• A student or staff has minor symptoms that should be checked by a nurse, but are not serious or life-threatening.
• Situations that may eventually require police intervention, but are not immediately dangerous.