During an emergency there needs to be a clearly defined, and accepted, chain of command within the school and any key decisions to be made once an alarm has been activated needs to come from the Principal or their alternate.

 At Hillcrest High School this is the Associate Principal or any other person as designated by the Principal. 

The process for making decisions during an emergency is as follows:

1. Notification of an incident, or developing incident (e.g. advised of a situation via MetService website, Civil Defence, emergency services etc.) or has just occurred (e.g. fire, armed/violent offender on or near Hillcrest High School grounds)

2. Is this event likely to impact on the safety of anyone in the school, students, staff, visitors, contractors, external groups etc.?

3. Decision is made on course of action. If safety of individuals is compromised, all staff should be aware of how to activate evacuation or Lockdown alert.

4. Is the safest option to remove everyone from the school buildings and then grounds? If so, the evacuation alert is sounded

5. Confirmation of evacuation is made to emergency services via dialling 111

6. Is the safest option to ensure everyone remains inside and away from danger? If so, the lockdown alert is sounded

7. Advise emergency services that a lock down has been initiated