Shelter-in-place, lockdown; know the difference Published Dec. 9, 2013 By Staff Sgt. Samantha Krolikowski 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- During any time of year, military members and civilians should know the different procedures between shelter-in-place and lockdown. Both of these are an emergency response tactic, but are initiated by very different scenarios. The SIP program prepares personnel for protection against airborne hazardous materials at a moment's notice. It is also in place for any similar situation in which leaving a current position could cause harm to the population. Shelter-in-place is important due to the fact that it prevents outside contaminated air from entering the building and isolates a few rooms and slows the contaminated air's entrance. Each building has a certain number of designated SIP rooms and kits. The SIP kits may contain: · A room diagram with numbers identifying doors, windows and vents in the order they are to be covered. For instance, an external facility window is number one and the entry door to the room is the last number (sealed last). · Pre-cut and numbered plastic sheeting to fit over doors, windows and vents in the sheltering area. Plastic should outsize openings by several inches in every direction. · Rolls of duct tape to secure the plastic over windows/vents and to seal doors. · NOTE: Painter's tape will be used for exercises and drills. · Flashlight and fresh batteries. · First aid kit (may be taken from adjacent rooms during emergency or exercise) · Phone rosters for key personnel, control centers, and recall. Recall rosters may be accessed on an available computer in SIP room. · Small installation map "The SIP program has the ability to save lives," said Master Sgt. Shannon L. Danko, the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron readiness and emergency management flight NCO in charge. "So it's very important to make sure we check the kits regularly and drill on SIP so that we're prepared." Lockdown, however, would be initiated during an exercise or real world Active Shooter type scenarios by the installation commander. Having a lockdown can aid in mitigating injuries and casualties, while at the same time aiding in search and giving suspects fewer places to hide. "Basically, you would lock your building," said Capt. Cody L. Elliot, 92nd Security Forces Squadron operations officer. "Do not let anyone in or out until told to do so by the proper office." During a lockdown situation, if the shooter is outside the building, lock the doors as soon as possible before they can get inside, stay away from windows, stay quiet and stay out of sight. If the shooter is inside, hide, stay quiet and don't go looking for the shooter. According to the base anti-terrorism office, evacuate the building if it's safe, call 911 if able, stay where you are until "All clear," follow all directions of security forces and security personnel and, as a last result, fight the shooter. While SIP harbors a centralized location for office members to take shelter, lockdown procedures require the opposite. Responding appropriately can potentially be the difference between life and death. For more information call the Anti-Terrorism office at 509-247-2186 or Master Sgt. Shannon Danko at 509-247-2230.