Module 6
When the Alarm Sounds: Emergency and Lockdown Procedures
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” — Isaiah 26:3
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Describe common types of facility emergencies in general terms
- Explain why volunteers follow staff instructions immediately
- Describe a volunteer's role during a lockdown or medical emergency
- Prepare a personal emergency plan and stay calm under pressure
Lesson Notes
Expect the Unexpected
Correctional facilities can change quickly. Programs may be cancelled, counts may be called, movement may stop, or an alarm may sound. Common situations include medical emergencies, fights or disturbances, fire or weather alarms, counts, and lockdowns, when all movement stops and people stay where they are until staff give other instructions.
These situations are not personal and are not the time for questions. Staff are trained to manage them. A volunteer's job is simple: follow staff instructions immediately and exactly.
What Volunteers Do
During orientation, the facility will explain its procedures. In general, volunteers:
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Stop the program calmly when staff direct.
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Follow staff instructions immediately: stay put, move to a safe area, or exit as directed.
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Stay with your group and stay where staff can account for you.
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Keep your hands visible and your movements calm.
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Do not try to handle the situation yourself, intervene in a fight, or move toward the problem.
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Do not use or look for a phone unless staff direct it.
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Wait for clearance before resuming or leaving.
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Report afterward as the chaplain directs, briefly and factually.
Write your facility's procedures here: Alarm signal: ______________. Where volunteers go: ______________. Who accounts for volunteers: ______________.
Medical Emergencies and Crisis
If a resident or volunteer appears ill, injured, or in crisis, tell staff immediately. Staff call medical help according to facility procedure. Do not give medication, food, or water unless staff direct it, and follow their lead. If someone speaks of suicide or self-harm, stay calm, stay near if it is safe and staff allow it, and tell staff or the chaplain right away. Inside, staff and the chaplain are the crisis response.
Outside the facility, in your own life or ministry, call 911 for immediate danger or a medical emergency, and call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S., for a suicide or mental health crisis.
Peace in the Storm
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee (Isaiah 26:3). A calm volunteer helps others stay calm. Slow your breathing, pray silently, speak softly, and follow instructions. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee (Psalm 56:3). Afterward, it is normal to feel shaken. Talk with the chaplain or your ministry leader, rest, and seek support.
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Lockdown | A security status in which all movement stops until staff give other instructions |
| Count | A scheduled or emergency check to account for every resident |
| Accounted for | Being known by staff to be present and safe in a specific location |
| Debrief | A conversation after an incident to talk through what happened and how people are doing |
| Clearance | Permission from staff to resume activity or leave |
In-Class Activities
What Would You Do?
Read six composite emergency situations (for example, an alarm sounds during your Bible study; a resident collapses; staff call a count in the middle of your lesson). For each, write the first three things a volunteer should do and one thing she should not do.
Calm Words, Calm Body
Write three short sentences you could say to a group of residents when staff stop a program (for example, Let's do exactly what the officer says). Then write two silent prayers or Scripture verses you could pray to keep your mind stayed on God. This is a paper exercise; no role-play of emergencies is needed.
Assignment: My Emergency Steps
Create a one-page emergency card for your handbook:
- The eight volunteer steps from the lesson.
- Blanks for your facility's alarm signal, safe area, and who accounts for volunteers: ______________.
- What to do in a medical emergency or crisis inside (tell staff or the chaplain immediately).
- What to do outside (911; call or text 988).
- Three things you will never do during an emergency.
- Isaiah 26:3 written out.
Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.
Reflection Journal
Isaiah 26:3 promises perfect peace to the mind stayed on God. How do you usually respond when things suddenly change or feel out of control? What would help you stay calm and follow instructions?
Prayer focus: Ask God for a calm mind, a quick and humble response to instructions, and His peace for everyone in the facility.
Weekly Reading & Devotions
Peace When Plans Change
In a correctional facility, plans can change in an instant. A count is called, an alarm sounds, movement stops, or staff end a program early. These moments are not personal, and they are not the time for questions. Staff are trained to manage them.
A volunteer's job is simple: follow staff instructions immediately and exactly. Stop the program, stay with your group, keep your hands visible, stay where staff can account for you, and wait for clearance. Never move toward a problem or try to handle it yourself.
If someone seems ill, injured, or in crisis, tell staff right away and follow their lead. Inside, staff and the chaplain are the crisis response. Outside, in your own life, call 911 for immediate danger and call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S., for a suicide or mental health crisis.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee (Isaiah 26:3). Slow your breathing, pray silently, and speak softly. Your calm can help others stay calm. Afterward, it is normal to feel shaken. Talk with the chaplain or your ministry leader, and rest.
Think About It
- How do you usually react when plans suddenly change? ______________________
- What will you pray silently in a tense moment? ______________________
- Who will you talk with after a hard visit? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 6
Perfect Peace
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.— Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)
Peace comes from fixing our minds on God, not on the chaos around us.
Reflect: What steals your peace most quickly?
Pray: Lord, keep my mind stayed on You.
Do: Memorize Isaiah 26:3.
When I Am Afraid
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.— Psalm 56:3 (KJV)
Fear is real, and trust is a choice we can make in the middle of it.
Reflect: What fear do you need to hand to God?
Pray: Lord, when I am afraid, I will trust You.
Do: Pray Psalm 56:3 slowly three times.
A Sound Mind
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.— 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
God gives a sound mind to think clearly and follow instructions under pressure.
Reflect: Where do you need a sound mind this week?
Pray: Lord, give me power, love, and a sound mind.
Do: Practice slow, calm breathing for one minute.
A Very Present Help
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.— Psalm 46:1 (KJV)
God is present in every emergency, steadying us to do what is right.
Reflect: Where do you need God's strength today?
Pray: Lord, be my refuge and strength.
Do: Write the eight volunteer emergency steps from memory.
Not the Author of Confusion
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.— 1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)
Following clear instructions brings order to confusing moments.
Reflect: How can you bring peace in a tense room?
Pray: Lord, make me a person of peace.
Do: Speak one calming sentence to someone today.
Module Quiz
- 1.
When an alarm sounds during a program, a volunteer should first:
- 2.
During a lockdown, volunteers generally:
- 3.
If a resident appears to be in a medical emergency, the volunteer should:
- 4.
Volunteers should step in to break up a fight between residents.
- 5.
Outside a facility, what numbers do you call for immediate danger and for a suicide or mental health crisis?