stay in place - be stationary
A stay in place is when an action is happening, those in the periphery or area affected are instructed to STOP, stay where they are until the action is over and the authorities have deemed it safe to proceed. For example a "Stay in Place" might be called if a medical emergency is happening in one area of the school, and in order for that emergency to be cleared all surrounding classrooms need to keep the children inside the room and hallways clear. Medical personnel can quickly get to the emergency without running into kids during class change overs. The classroom can carry on as usual and instruction can still take place during a "Stay in Place". This is unlike a regular lock down where everyone goes to the safe spot in the room or area. After the emergency is over, school officials make the announcement that the situation is over, and regular movement can occur in the school once again.
This just does not happen in our schools. This past week in Boston a "Stay in Place" was ordered to Boston and surrounding towns while there was a manhunt for the suspect in the Boston Marathon Bombings. Residents were instructed to stay in their homes while law enforcement went door to door clearing neighborhoods searching for the suspect. I bet this is the first time many people had heard the term "Stay in Place". Even after an area was cleared, residents were even instructed to stay in side for their safety. Many times staying inside and not evacuating is safer, it depends on the situation. Again listening to law enforcement is critical.
I can not emphasize how important it is to follow instructions. They are for our safety.
Very true.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog.
Some painful memories from Columbine and now Boston. Thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteClarifying signals to staff and students is important. I've sat in the dark with students for an extended period, not realizing that they really just wanted everyone out of the hallways so an EMT unit could get through the building quickly.
ReplyDeleteGood post. Thanks for explaining the terminology as it applies to what happens in schools. :)
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ReplyDeleteI can see that my daughter might found your blog useful as she's an Assistant Principal. Our school systems are less vulnerable than in the US to random attacks (so far, fingers crossed), but these sorts of strategies are so important. It also means that if the kids are trained they don't freak out so much when something out of the ordinary happens..
ReplyDeletePauleen at Tropical Territory
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