HomeMy WebLinkAboutPanic Button Policy CO x
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TOWN OF SOUTHOLD NETWORK-BASED PANIC BUTTON POLICY
Updated June 2019
Introduction:
The Town of Southold Executive Safety Committee strives to promote safety within the workplace
and is charged with implementing the Town's Workplace Violence Prevention policy. Annually, the
Executive Safety Committee issues surveys to employees to assess their perception of safety in the
workplace. Information received is confidential and reviewed by the committee and prioritized
according to importance of safety. In addition to disseminating surveys, all Town facilities are
evaluated in person by a member of the Executive Safety Committee, the Town's Workmen's
Compensation Provider and PBA and CSEA designees.
Several surveys expressed concern from employees who requested the ability to immediately contact
the Police Department in the event of a perceived threat or emergency when it is impractical or
unsafe to dial the Police via 911. In response to this concern, the Executive Safety Committee is
working in conjunction with the Information Technology Department to install network-based panic
buttons that are centrally located throughout Town facilities. The activation of the panic button will
notify the Dispatch Center at Police Headquarters and indicate the requestor's name, category of the
alert, date and time of activation as well as the location of requestor.
Intent:
Ensure the safety of employees and visitors within Town facilities through providing an expeditious
response to potential workplace violence incidents. In addition the policy regulates the procedures for
utilizing network-based panic buttons and articulates expectations of Town employees when an alarm
is activated.
Criteria for Utilizing Network-based Panic Buttons:
Employees could utilize the network-based panic button not only for EMS or Fire related incidents
but should use it when they perceive that workplace safety is seriously threatened by a disturbance
of hostile and aggressive behavior that could potentially lead to violence in the workplace. This would
include actions of someone wielding a weapon, physical touching and/or hitting, attempted robbery,
arson, threatening statements, etc.
Location of Network-Based Panic Buttons:
The following Town facilities have been appropriated with network-based panic buttons to be utilized
during an extreme emergency:
Town Hall:
• Supervisor
• Town Clerk
• Tax Receiver
• Town Hall Meeting Room
• Assessors
• Information Technology
• Public Works
• Justice Court
Annex:
• Building
• Trustees
• Zoning Board of Appeals
• Planning
• Land Preservation
• Town Attorney
• Accounting
Police
Highway
Recreation
Solid Waste District
Human Resource Center
How to Activate and De-activate the Network-Based Panic Button:
To activate, employees should locate and double click the square green icon with the label "PANIC'
on the desktops of their workstations. Users have the option to drag the button to any location on their
desktops. The button will always remain in the forefront and therefore will always be visible.
PANIC
At this point the user will be presented with a menu containing selections for the category of the
emergency presented and a cancel option.
Police
Yes
FireT
Yes
b, Yes
Actiye ShooterYes
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When the button is activated it will immediately sound an alert and alert the police dispatchers as well
as the other workstations as noted above that have network-based buttons installed that an
emergency exists.
4Code Fire ALERT1
Location = • Lloyd
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In the event that the button is pressed by mistake or the situation immediately resolves itself click on
the cancel option.
Upon activation, a police dispatcher will immediately dispatch a police car with urgency to seek out
the scope of the problem. Police staff will act accordingly when they arrive at the site. The police
dispatchers will clear the alert notification when they determine that the situation is being handled.
The dispatchers along with certain members of the Executive Safety Committee are the only
individuals that have the ability to clear an alert.
The notification of the alarm is to expeditiously notify the Police to generate an immediate response.
However, because employees will also be notified of co-workers in "distress" it is extremely important
for employees to understand that Police Department assistance is the appropriate intervention to
resolve the emergency. However, if employees feel inclined to render assistance they do so at their
own risk and should recognize their limitations in providing assistance to resolve an emergency.
Department Heads should ensure that all employees know where network-based panic buttons are
installed as well as policy and procedures for operation.