Emergency Code Awareness

For Learners on Placements in Hospitals

Introduction to Emergency CodesLearners are being introduced to Hospital Emergency Codes through this PowerPoint presentation. You are expected to know and understand general Emergency Code principals following this session.

Once you are in a hospital setting it is important you receive the second step of this process, the training. This training will include the local notification process to call a Code, where your Code staging location might be, what your available resources are and what actions you will take during a Code call.

Find out who the area charge person is in your location as they are the local contact for this building-specific information.

Code Red – Fire

If you find a fire or see smoke,

• Remove any endangered persons• Ensure door(s) to room of fire origin are closed to contain

fire/smoke• Activate the closest fire alarm pull station • Call the local Emergency Number and report Code Red

fire emergency and give exact location • Try to extinguish the fire only if it is safe to do so and in a

team of 2 both equipped with a fire extinguisher

Code Red – Fire

Smell of Smoke

If you smell smoke but do not see smoke or fire call the local Emergency Number and report smell of smoke, your name and location.

A Code Red is not announced for a smell of smoke.

Subsequently, if you see smoke or fire implement the REACT protocol.

Code Red – Fire

Code Red alarm is a Stage 1 alarm identified with approximately 20 bells per minute.

This is a Fire Emergency Alert signal and is accompanied by an overhead announcement.

Prepare to evacuate your area but wait for additional information.

Code Green – Evacuate

Code Green alarm is a Stage 2 alarm identified with a short rapid bell sequence, a pause, a short rapid bell sequence, a pause, etc.

An overhead page will identify what level of Code Green has been initiated.

Code Green – Evacuate

Two levels of Code Green might be announced as it applies to an area(s):

1) “Code Green Standby” which requires all staff to return to their workstation & prepare their area for an eventual evacuation.

2) “Code Green In Effect” which activates implementation of a controlled evacuation of all occupants in area(s) identified.

Code Grey – Loss of Essential Services

In Hospital/Clinical Areas;

• Unexpected loss of power, water, heating, ventilation, cooling or medical gases

• Review the essential service lost and what the potential impact might be in your area

• If a hazardous situation will arise report it to a supervisor immediately

• Implement area-specific contingency plan if applicable

Code Grey – Loss of Essential Services

In classroom/meeting room/office areas;

• Generally, there is no urgency for action• Review the essential service lost and what the

potential impact might be in your area• Follow Area Charge Person’s instructions

Code Black - Bomb Threat

• Any bomb threat is taken seriously and a visual search of a building has to be completed to clear or validate the threat.

• Emergency Responders require each room of a building to be searched and the information relayed to them.

• Evacuation of an area or building occurs when there is imminent danger.

• If evacuation is deemed necessary a Code Green Stand By or In Effect would be announced.

Code Black – Bomb Threat

For all areas;

• Complete a visual search and sweep of your area only if you are familiar with the area

• Note any suspicious packages or objects but do not touch or disturb them in any way

• Report negative and positive findings using locally available method of communication

Code Black - Bomb Threat

Code White

• A violent situation unable to be de-escalated & threat of injury/harm exists press the Panic Alarm if available

• Call or ask staff to call and report the code

Code Purple

• If hostage situation has been observed call and report the code

• Do not disturb area or approach hostage-takers• Avoid unnecessary risks, go and remain in a safe

area until notified situation is resolved• Avoid the code area, remain in a safe location

during the event

Code Silver

• On discovery or notification of a person threatening with or discharging a firearm, seek cover and warn/assist others of situation if safe to do so

• Call 911 via external phone line and call hospital, if able, to report the code

• Evacuate/escape if you are able to safely• If unable to evacuate/escape find a secure shelter

and barricade yourself, wait for Police or Security to arrive – ensure they verify their identity

Lock Down Protocol

A lock down protocol may be enacted for an internal or external threat. Follow the area charge person’s instructions.1. Go to the nearest room or office2. Close and lock the door if possible 3. Barricade the door with furniture4. Cover the door window, turn off the lights5. Keep quiet as if no one is in the room6. Do not answer the door7. Notify Security by phone as to where you are8. Wait for Police or Security to assist you

Code Amber

Code Amber is for a missing/abducted infant or child

• On discovery of this code in your area that requires a search & sweep in other areas, call and report

• On notification of this code, complete a search & sweep with someone familiar with the area

• Call and report negative or positive findings• Remain on alert until the “All Clear” is announced

Code Yellow

Code Yellow is for a missing person/adult

• On discovery of this code in your area that requires a search & sweep in other areas, call and report

• On notification of this code, complete a search & sweep with someone familiar with the area

• Call and report negative or positive findings• Remain on alert until the “All Clear” is announced

Code Aqua

Code Aqua is an uncontrolled quantity of water deemed to be a physical, health or environmental hazard that can result in, but is not limited to, falls, electrical hazards and contamination involving sewage & other pollutants.

• Call and report this code• Assess the area for occupant safety• Assess equipment safety and the need to protect from

water damage• Place spill barriers around areas to contain water

A Code Brown is called when there is a spill of a hazardous material. This could be a biohazard, chemical or radioactive material spill.

• On discovery of a hazardous material spill that cannot be contained or safely cleaned by available resources, ensure spill area access is restricted before leaving the scene

• Call or ask someone to report the code• On notification of this code follow the area charge

person's instructions.

Code Brown

Code Blue

Cardiac Arrest or Medical Emergency• On discovery of a code blue situation where a person

requires immediate medical attention, initiate basic life support if trained

• Call or ask someone to call & report code• Remain at the scene until Emergency Responders arrive

and follow their instructions• On notification of code, follow Area Charge Person’s

instructions

Code Pink

Infant Cardiac Arrest or Medical Emergency• On discovery of a code pink situation where a person

requires immediate medical attention, initiate basic life support if trained

• Call or ask someone to call & report code• Remain at the scene until Emergency Responders arrive

and follow their instructions• On notification of code, follow Area Charge Person’s

instructions

Code Orange

External Disaster

• Is a hospital code and does not impact others directly• Is usually called for a mass casualty incident or a

hospital surge event• On discovery or notification of this code, continue

normal duties but remain on alert for instructions from the manager

Contact for Questions

FHS Safety OfficeExtension 24956

Room 1J11A – MUMCMike McGuire