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HOSTAGE INCIDENT PLAN

SECTION 1:  POLICY
The objective of this plan is to provide guidance in the event a hostage incident occurs on hospital property or Clinics.  A hostage incident is defined as:  “An unlawful interference with another person(s) liberty without lawful authority or the victim's consent”.  A hostage situation usually results from one of three basic situations:

1. A hostage is taken during the commission of a crime in order to aid an escape from a scene.

2. A hostage taker feels the system has cheated him and he wants to strike back, i.e., the unexpected death of a family member or unexpected outcome.

3. The hostage taker feels some affront that sets him off and forces him to react.

SECTION 2:  HOSPITAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Security Department, in conjunction with the Nursing Shift Supervisor and the Administrator-On-Call shall be responsible for implementing this plan.  The Crystal City Police Department shall have the overall control of the hostage situation and hostage negotiations.

SECTION 3:  PROCEDURE

I. HOSPITAL

In the initial phase of a hostage situation the following steps should be taken by those indicated.

A. The first employee to identify a hostage situation should:

1. Secure the immediate area, if possible, by removing all patients and personnel.

2. Secure floors, if appropriate, to isolate the incident.

3. Notify as quickly as possible the Security Department through the operator and inform them of the hostage situation.

4. Observe and report to Security/Police:

a. The number of hostages taken.
b. The type of problem.
c. The type and number of hostage takers.
d. The type and number of possible weapons.

5. Make specific notes of any threats or demands.

6. Do not speak to the media, and do not leave the hospital until the police advise you to do so.

B. The first Security officer to arrive at the scene will:

1. Assess the situation.

2. Take control until the Police arrive.

3. Security will supplement and reinforce personnel on the scene as the situation dictates in order to limit access to the scene and prevent injury to the hostage(s).

4. Advise both Administration and Police of all known information.

5. Do not trade a hostage for someone else.

6. Do not promise anything, other than their safety if they surrender.

7. Let the hostage taker talk as much as possible.

8. Release control of the scene to the first arriving Police Officer.

C. The Switchboard, upon notification, will:

1. Immediately notify the Security Department, Police Department of the location of the incident.

2. Notify the Nursing Shift Supervisor.

3. Notify the Administrator On-Call.

4. Notify the Emergency Room and Surgery.

5. Notify the Community Relations Department.

D. The Control Center will:

1. Be established as close to the scene as possible.

2. Consist of Administration, Security, Police and Nursing Shift Supervisor.

3. Establish a medical response team ready to support casualty operations of the Control Center.

4. Be provided with all information, to include;

a. Number of hostage takers.

b. Number of hostages.

c. Type and number of weapons thought to be in the hostage takers possession.

d. Threats and demands made by the hostage takers.

e. All necessary individuals still in the area.

f. Precise area controlled by the hostage takers.

g. Floor plan of the area.

h. Keys to all involved areas.

i. Identity and description of participants (hostages and hostage takers)

j. Location and number of telephones in the area.

E. Media control:

Community Relations will establish a Press Center away from the incident area and Control Center so that the media does not interfere with the negotiations.

F. Hostage incident resolution

Hospital staff, visitors and patients will be kept/removed from the area until the hostage situation is resolved.  Once the Police Department announces resolution of the situation, the Administrator On-Call will notify the Switchboard to announce “Attention: Code Seven All Clear”  (3) times.

II. CLINICS
In the initial phase of a hostage situation the following steps should be taken by those indicated.

A. The first employee to identify a hostage situation should:

1. Secure the immediate area, if possible, by removing all patients and personnel.

2. Secure all doors, if appropriate, to isolate the incident.

3.  Obtain the patient schedule if safely possible.

3. Notify as quickly as possible the Local Police Department and the Hospital Operator and inform them of the hostage situation.

4.  Observe and report to Police:

a. The number of hostages taken.

b. The type of problem.

c. The type and number of hostage takers.

d. The type and number of possible weapons.

5.   Make specific notes of any threats or demands.

6. Do not speak to the media, and do not leave the area until the police advise you to do so.

B.  Hostage incident control and resolution:

Incident control shall be by the Local Police Department. The Local Police Department will advise of a resolution when such occurs.

US Patent Numbers 7,720,998 B2, 7,836,207