Definitions
What is Code Purple?
Code Purple is the SHN designation for a hostage-taking situation.
What is the phone number to dial in emergency?
5555
What does locating do? List 2 things.
1. Ask the individual reporting the incident if they are in a safe location.
2. Gather information from the caller relaying the hostage incident:
a) Description of the suspect(s).
b) Names of the suspect(s) if known.
c) Any other information relevant to this situation.
3. Once information is collected, announce overhead three times, “Code Purple: Hostage Situation [location.]”
List 2 things to do during a rescue?
1. Staff are to stay where they are and stay as low to the ground as possible. Running or sudden movements
may cause police to mistake them for a hostage taker.
2. Do not be upset, argue, or resist if rescuer is not sure if they are a hostage or hostage taker.
3. Wait for and obey all instructions given by rescuers.
4. Even if they are handcuffed and searched, DO NOT resist. Wait for the confusion to clear to be released.
What is Hostage-taking?
• When any person(s) i.e. patient, staff, visitor is confined, imprisoned, forcibly seized or detained against their will illegally.
• When the hostage taker(s) cause any person(s) to receive a threat of death or bodily harm or induce any person or organization to commit an act or omission for releasing the hostage(s) (Canadian Criminal Code, 1985, Section 279.1).
• When any person(s) have confined or barricaded themselves with another person in a room and threaten violence and/or have weapons.
• May be the result of an Active Attacker (Code Silver) or Violent Person (Code White).
What is the first step to do in a code Purple?
Ensure their safety first. Proceed to a telephone area or room away from the hostage- taking incident. Safe spaces include rooms with doors that lock or can be secured without a window or a window that has a cover blocking anyone from looking in.
What does Security do?
Security’s responsibility to isolate and secure the location and await Toronto Police Service’s direction.
What are 3 things not to do if taken hostage?
1. Do not attempt to negotiate or argue with the hostage taker(s).
2. Do not show emotion.
3. Do not make suggestions or volunteer information to the hostage taker(s).
4. Do not make abrupt movements as it may startle or agitate the hostage taker(s).
5. Do not attempt an escape unless there is an extremely good chance of survival. A foiled escape will likelyanger the hostage taker(s) and will put both your safety and the other hostage’s safety in extreme jeopardy.
Who is and what does the incident manager do?
The most responsible person on site that is responsible for site coordination and command of the incident response. The incident commander should have the authority to make command-level decisions. Initially, this role can be assumed by anyone to delegate roles and responsibilities but should be transferred to a more senior role, once the person has arrived
What information do you provide when you dial 5555 or 911 (if unable to access internal phone)? Provide 3 pieces of information.
a)Location of the hostage taking incident.
b) Any visible signs of weapons.
c) Number and description of hostages.
d) Number and description of hostage takers.
e) Whether the hostage taker(s) and hostage(s) are contained within a specific room or area, or whether they are mobile and if so, what direction they are moving
What does staff on the unit/area do?
When the “Code Purple” overhead announcement is made, unit staff are to return to their unit, if it is safe to do so, and await further instructions from:
1. Telecommunications via announcement
2. Toronto Police Services
What are 3 things to do if taken hostage?
1.Be careful, the first 15 to 45 minutes are the most critical.
2. Do what you are told to do by the hostage taker(s).
3. Speak only when spoken to.
4. Try to act relaxed, try not to panic.
5. Remain seated, this is less threatening. An aggressive or threatening stance should be avoided. The hostage taker(s) may perceive this as a threat and become agitated.
6. Discard anything that may label you as a person of importance or someone the hostage taker(s) may fear (i.e. SHN issued device, ID badge, lanyard, etc.), if possible.
7. Be patient and trust the negotiation process.
8. Be observant. When staff is released, information that they may be able to give to the police will be important.
9. Try to sit away from any doors or windows to reduce the possibility of injury in the event that the police decide to take the hostage taker(s) by force.