Responding to a lockdown alert

A lockdown alert is the highest-priority broadcast TacDesk sends — issued by management when there is an active threat, a required evacuation, or a shelter-in-place instruction. Stay calm, read carefully, and act on what the screen tells you.

How you will know a lockdown is active

• Push notification — high-priority, delivered even when Do Not Disturb is on, even if the app is closed.
• Full-screen modal overlay in the app — this is not just a banner. When a lockdown is active, TacDesk surfaces a full-screen overlay that takes over whatever you were looking at. The app polls continuously so the overlay appears even if you were not looking at TacDesk when the alert was issued.
• Dashboard banner — visible on the main Dashboard screen.

What to do immediately

1. Read the overlay fully. It shows the lockdown type — for example, invacuation, evacuation, shelter, or run/hide/tell — and the specific instructions from your management team. Do not dismiss it before reading.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions precisely. Act on what is written, not on assumptions. Different lockdown types require different actions.
3. Acknowledge your status. Tap the relevant status button — for example, I am safe, Need assistance, or Unable to respond. This tells management who has and has not responded. Do not skip this step — management is actively monitoring the response list.
4. Keep your phone unlocked and with you. There may be follow-up instructions as the situation develops.

During the lockdown

• Stay in position unless explicitly instructed to move.
• Update your status in the app if your situation changes — for example, if you evacuate to a different assembly point.
• Avoid radio or mobile calls unless your post orders specifically require it — in some situations this can escalate a risk.
• If your battery is low, find a power source or charger as a priority.

After the all-clear

Management will declare the all-clear via the app. The overlay will be removed and the system returns to normal.

1. File an incident report documenting what you observed and the actions you took. Include times, locations, and any relevant detail.
2. Brief your supervisor verbally if required.
3. Do not discuss specifics of the incident on personal social media until you have spoken to your manager.

Martyn's Law / Protect Duty

The lockdown responder is part of TacDesk's compliance with Martyn's Law (the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act). Taking it seriously — reading the instructions, acknowledging your status, filing a report — is not just procedure, it is your legal responsibility as part of the venue's safety plan. Treat every lockdown alert as real until management confirms otherwise.

Tips

• Familiarise yourself with your site's evacuation routes and assembly points before an emergency — do not wait until a lockdown is active to learn the layout.
• Make sure push notifications are enabled for TacDesk so you receive the alert immediately. See the Notifications and settings article.
• If you receive an alert you believe is a test, still acknowledge your status — management cannot distinguish an unacknowledged test from an unacknowledged live event.