| Elevare™ Career Institute | 3501 | |
| Institution Name | Institution Number | |
| Critical Incident & Crisis Management Policy | March 24, 2024 | March 24, 2025 |
| Policy Name | Effective Date | Revision Date |
At Elevare™ Career Institute (ECI), we prioritize the safety and wellbeing of our community by maintaining a safe environment for all. We ensure timely reporting and thorough investigation of safety incidents to prevent recurrence, fostering an atmosphere where everyone can thrive.
To establish a culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed approach to effectively manage emergencies and crises while establishing procedures for reporting and documenting safety incidents to ensure a safe learning environment with minimal disruption to our educational mission.
We are dedicated to:
This policy is available on our official website elevareci.ca, located in the footer area (bottom of the page), under “Additional Policies.”
This policy covers all ECI community members across all campus locations, with specific provisions for:
The ERT will respond to critical incidents that cannot be resolved immediately. Safety incidents that can be addressed on the spot can simply be reported.
For immediate emergency assistance outside business hours, students and staff should contact emergency services (911) directly. The ERT handles incident follow-up and non-emergency situations during regular business hours.
Responsibilities:
Student communication and support
Documentation and reporting
Resource coordination
The Institute is committed to ensuring the safety of all stakeholders through the following measures:
Detailed Incident Report Form required with:
Multiple communication channels (email, SMS) with regular status updates to affected parties.
Non-compliance with this policy may result in disciplinary action. All incidents will be reviewed for policy compliance and learning opportunities.
This policy is approved by the Executive Director of Elevare™ Career Institute and enforced by the Emergency Response Team. It aligns with EQA requirements and demonstrates our commitment to providing a safe, supportive environment for all community members.
Below is a compiled emergency contact list in Kelowna:
Dial 911 immediately for all life-threatening emergencies including fire, medical, or safety-related incidents
250-469-8490 or 1-877-569-8490 (Used for obtaining updates and support during an ongoing emergency) Download a contact card here
Immediate Police Assistance: Dial 911
Non-Emergency Police: 259-762-3300 (For incidents or concerns that do not require immediate police intervention)
Immediate Medical Emergencies: Dial 911
Kelowna General Hospital (Non-Emergency): 250-862-4000
BC Emergency Support Services: 1-800-585-9559 or ess.gov.bc.ca
Immediate Fire Reporting: Dial 911.
Wildfire Reporting: 1-800-663-5555 or (*5555 from a cell phone)
Downed Powerlines or Natural Gas Leaks: Dial 911
During Business Hours: Contact the campus Emergency Response Team (ERT)
After Hours: Call 911 directly for crisis situations
ASSESS: Evaluate the situation for immediate danger
CALL: Emergency services (911)
TAKE: Note the incident details
SUPPORT: Assist others until help arrives
Expression of suicidal thoughts
Signs of physical distress
Threats of harm to self or others
Loss of touch with reality
Severe panic attacks
Note: Staff should not perform procedures beyond their training. When in doubt, call 911.
Call 911
Stay with the person if safe
Assign someone to meet emergency responders
Contact certified First Aid staff if available
Isolate the area and document the incident
Activate fire alarm
Call 911
Follow evacuation routes
Guide to assembly points
Take attendance
Wait for emergency services
Do not re-enter until authorized
Call 911
Initiate lockdown procedures
Secure doors and lights
Keep occupants away from windows
Await law enforcement instructions
Ensure safety
Call 911 if at risk of self-harm
Contact counseling services
Listen without judgment
Provide crisis line numbers:
Suicide: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or 988
Emotional Support: 310-6789
Indigenous Support: 250-723-4050 (adults/elders) or 250-723-2040 (children/youth)
Contact Campus Director
Contact Emergency Response Team
Send emergency notifications as required
Contact Emergency Services (911)
Notify student emergency contacts (if applicable)
No media communications (refer to spokesperson)
To provide practical guidance for non-medical staff to deliver appropriate support while maintaining professional boundaries.
Physical & Emotional Safety: Ensure all parties are safe
Quiet Spaces: Provide private spaces for conversations
Professional Boundaries: Maintain appropriate limits
Escalation: Contact emergency services (911) when needed
Cultural Respect: Acknowledge differences
Preferred Names: Use names and pronouns as requested
Religious Observances: Be mindful of practices
Language Support: Use support services when needed
Trauma Responses: Recognize varied responses
Remain calm, speak clearly, give full attention, and allow pauses.
Eye Contact: Maintain culturally appropriate eye contact
Body Language: Use supportive gestures
Acknowledgment: Validate feelings
Verbal Support: Use phrases like “I hear you”
Validation: Confirm their experience without judgment
Introduce yourself, ask for preferred name, offer options for conversation settings, and inquire if another person should be present.
Empower the individual with choices, provide clear resource information, take breaks if needed, respect personal space, and document key points.
Develop a clear support plan, schedule check-ins, make referrals, provide written resources, and ensure confidentiality.
Counseling Services: Available on campus
Cultural Support Groups: As applicable
Academic Accommodations: Provided per policy
Housing Services: Contact campus resources
Health Services: Available for support
Legal Aid: Provided as needed
Community Support: Engage local organizations
Limitations: Recognize your boundaries
Professional Boundaries: Maintain them strictly
Breaks: Take them regularly
Supervision: Access support when needed
Debriefing: Participate in debrief sessions
Stay within your role, listen actively, respect confidentiality, document interactions, know your referral resources, and recognize when to seek professional help.
Avoid providing counseling beyond your expertise, making unfulfillable promises, sharing personal stories, ignoring cultural differences, forcing conversations, or overstepping your role.