Immediate Action

  1. If the situation is an emergency, first notify Emergency Response Personnel via campus phone at x9911 or via outside phone or mobile at 911.
  2. Notify OTC Safety & Security:
    Springfield Campus, Branson Center and Waynesville Center (417) 447-6911
    Richwood Valley Campus (417) 447-7860
    Lebanon Center (417)343-1430
  3. If Red Alert is announced or if you observe anyone with a weapon, immediately seek safety inside a class room or office. Lock all doors and try to stay out of sight. Do not unlock doors for anyone once doors have been locked. Stay inside the class room or office until police arrive. You may be inside that class room or office for an extended period. Do not take any unnecessary chances.
  4. If it is safe to do so, evacuate all staff and students from the vicinity of the threat or behavior.
  5. If it is safe to do so, identify and isolate witnesses until the police arrive.
  6. Follow all directions given by police.

Detailed Information

When a hostile person(s) is actively causing death or serious bodily injury or the threat of imminent death or serious bodily injury within an Ozarks Technical Community College building, the following procedures should be implemented:

  • Carry out the Immediate Action Plan.
  • Students, faculty, and staff receiving a text message and not on campus or in a building should not come to campus or exit the campus as quickly as possible.
  • Faculty should immediately lock the students and themselves in the classroom if possible.
  • Staff should immediately lock down the area they are located in if possible.
  • Local police will respond as quickly as possible and take any action deemed necessary to control the situation.
  • Safety and Security personnel will maintain a buffer zone in a safe location and divert all vehicular and pedestrian traffic away from the situation.
  • College personnel will work directly with local police and assist in whatever way necessary.
  • Stay away from the windows.
  • Turn off all lights.
  • Try to remain as calm as possible, stay out of open areas, and be as quiet as possible.
  • Persons not in a classroom or office should try to get to one.
  • If a person is caught in an open area such as a hallway or atrium, a decision must be made on what to do.
    • A person could try to hide in a well-hidden space.
    • A person may run out of the building if a safe exit is possible.  A person should not run in a straight line.
  • Once the police arrive, all commands should be obeyed.