Public school division asking parents to review emergency protocols following hold and secure

By Medicine Hat News on September 21, 2024.

Following a hold and secure protocol ordered at George Davidson School on Thursday afternoon, the Medicine Hat Public School Division is asking parents to review its online emergency protocol procedures to find information on procedures school staff and first responders follow once an emergency has been identified.

Both city school divisions, public and Catholic, follow similar emergency protocols according to the severity of the emergency.

The least severe incident, a hold and secure, is identified when there is a potential threat violence outside the school building. Under this protocol all exterior doors and windows to the school are locked and no one is allowed in or out of the building until an all clear is given by police.

During a hold and secure, the school operates as normal inside the building and classes operate as scheduled.

Additional threat levels include a shelter in place, evacuation and lockdown protocols.

Police provided an all-clear to George Davidson School on Thursday at 2:41 p.m. If a hold and secure protocol is extended past dismissal times, school doors will remain locked and parents will be provided with dismissal information.

To locate the school division’s emergency protocol summary visit mhpsd.ca/emergency-protocol, or contact school administration at 403-529-1555.