Guidelines and recommendations for your safety

Ensuring the safety and security of all visitors to the National Technical Library is our highest priority. Unfortunately, dangerous situations can never be completely avoided and it is therefore advisable to be prepared for them. For this reason, we have prepared the following recommendations and basic guidelines on how to behave and what to do in such non-standard situations.

General principles - how to behave when something happens

If a dangerous situation arises, there are simple principles that can help save lives and contribute to the effective resolution of such a situation.

If a dangerous situation arises:

• Keep calm and cool, even when it's hard. Stress, confusion and panic are inappropriate, as they make it difficult to take the steps needed to resolve the situation.
• In the event of a dangerous situation or even if you suspect such a situation may be occurring, immediately contact / call NTK security (or NTK employees).
• In urgent and particularly dangerous cases, contact the Integrated Rescue System directly (the Police, the Fire Brigade or the Prague City Ambulance Service).
• Try to avoid being in a place of danger or threat of danger. Get out of harm's way (usually outside the NTK building).
• If an evacuation of the NTK building is announced, do not wait for anything and obey this call. Use the emergency exits to evacuate. Do not use elevators during evacuation.
• If it doesn't put you in danger, warn and help others. Above all, save your own life.
• Follow the instructions of NTK employees, NTK security staff or members of the Police of the Czech Republic and fire fighters.

What to do when... guidelines for crisis situations

• Finding a suspicious item
• Operational incidents and violation of house rules
• Fire
• Aggressive behaviour
• Active shooter
• Attack with a cold weapon (knife)

Finding a suspicious item

The discovery of a suspicious item is defined as such an object, the purpose, origin or owner of which is usually unknown, whose location in a publicly accessible place and external form give rise to a reasonable fear that it may have dangerous contents (e.g. planted explosive device- wires sticking out of it, etc.). This item usually takes the form of a box, bag, briefcase, backpack, plastic bag, etc.

If you think it might be a suspicious or dangerous object, do the following:

• Always take seriously any suspicious object found.
• First, make sure that the suspicious object is not just a forgotten or abandoned piece of luggage (item) and does not belong to any of the persons present or in the immediate vicinity of the place of discovery (ask around if possible).
• Never open or move a suspicious object.
• If possible, prevent other persons from accessing the place where the suspicious object was found and any handling of the object - ask the persons present not to approach the object, to leave the place and to stay at a safe distance.
• Report the find to NTK security / call NTK security.
⇔ NTK security – tel.: 731 143 709
• Then follow the instructions of NTK security.
• Do not stay near the place of the discovery, but leave (ideally leave the NTK building).

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Operational incidents and violation of house rules

An operational accident is an undesirable event that occurred in direct connection with the activity and operation of the NTK building and caused its limitation. For example, interruption of drinking water supply, non-functioning electrical outlet or light, damage to library property, clogged or non-functioning toilet, etc.

It may also be a violation of the house rules. Examples include noisy, inconsiderate and disruptive behaviour that disturbs or restricts the surroundings (other people), climbing and jumping on tables, climbing on the walkways, deliberate damage to library property, unwanted manipulation of library equipment, suspicion of bringing in or possessing dangerous objects, smoking in the library building including electronic cigarettes and vaporizers, suspicion of a person acting under the influence of addictive substances (alcohol, psychotropic or other narcotic substances), etc.

If you discover any operational emergency or witness any behaviour that is in violation of the NTK house rules, report it to NTK security immediately:

⇔ NTK security – tel.: 731 143 709

Then follow the instructions of NTK security.

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Fire

A fire is defined as an unwanted and uncontrollable combustion that can kill or injure persons or damage material assets within the NTK building. As a result of a fire, there is a risk not only of burns but also of intoxication of persons due to the combustion products.

• If you see a fire or suspect a fire (e.g. smoke and smell), press the nearest fire button.
• Press to trigger a fire alarm in the NTK building (information about the fire will be automatically transmitted to the NTK security guard at the fire alarm station - NTK Reception 3).
• The public address system will then be activated and an evacuation of the NTK building will be announced.
• If you can't see a fire button:
• Immediately contact NTK security (or NTK staff).
⇔ NTK security - tel.: 731 143 709
• Sound the fire alarm by calling "FIRE" loudly.
• Quickly leave the NTK building through the nearest exit marked "EXIT" and the appropriate safety signs (green directional signs).
• Take your personal belongings and valuables with you only if the situation allows it.
• Warn others on the way and take them with you.
• Do not use elevators to evacuate.
• Please follow the instructions of the NTK security and NTK staff.

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Aggressive behaviour / Physical assault (unarmed)

This is the intentional conduct or actions of a person or persons who deliberately harm, injure, cause suffering to, restrain, or forcibly prevent another person from performing an activity. These are most often verbal attacks, in extreme cases associated with physical assault (unarmed), e.g. pushing, slapping or punching.

• Try to calm the situation:
• Keep a safe distance from the aggressive person.
• Always think of your own safety.
• Find out the reason for the aggressive person's actions.
• If possible, find a conflict-free solution to the situation.
• If this is not possible, call NTK security (or NTK staff).
⇔ NTK security - tel.: 731 143 709
• If an aggressive person makes a very dangerous threat (e.g. shooting, explosives, etc.), report the situation immediately to the emergency line:
⇔ Police of the Czech Republic (158), or
⇔ Municipal police (156)
• Do not stay near an aggressive person, but leave (ideally leave the NTK building).
• Alert others along the way of the presence of the aggressive person.
• From then on, follow the instructions of the NTK staff, NTK security or the Police of the Czech Republic (or the Municipal Police).

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Active shooter

An active shooter means a dangerous assailant armed with a firearm whose goal is to kill as many people as possible before being stopped in his or her actions. Either the Police of the Czech Republic stops his attack or he ends his life by suicide, usually by shooting himself. An active attack is usually well thought out and planned over a long period of time. The attacker usually does not have a plan of retreat, does not want to negotiate, does not take hostages and usually does not intend to surrender. Usually these are individuals, but in exceptional cases they may also be a group of attackers.

ESCAPE TO A SAFE AREA

• If possible, flee immediately to a safe area away from the attacker:
• Select corridors and exits out of sight of the attacker (in a direction away from the attacker).
• Run along the side of the route, not in the middle.
• Use various objects along the escape route as cover if possible (e.g. bookshelves).
• Stay crouched as you escape.
• Get rid of everything that hinders your movement, do not linger and never go back.
• Leave your personal belongings and valuables where they are! Life and health comes first.
• Warn other library visitors of the danger and take them with you to safety.
• On the way, press the fire alarm button (signal for security!).
• Leave the provision of first aid until you are safe yourself.
• If possible, and if you do not put yourself in danger, help others to escape.
• In a safe area (out of reach of the attacker), immediately call the Czech Police (line 158).

HIDE

• If you cannot escape out of the attacker's reach, hide so that the attacker cannot easily see/find you. Create a barrier between yourself and the attacker.
• Never stay in the open.
• Hide ideally in a room without glass walls or doors that can be locked and barricaded.
• When in hiding, be quiet, turn down your cell phone ring and turn off the vibration.
• Turn off the lights in the room, move away from the doors and windows.
• Take cover behind a solid object (always outside the doorway).
• Call the Czech Police (line 158) and describe your situation (who you are, where you are and what is happening).
• Do not communicate with anyone through the door and do not respond to any stimuli.
• Do not share photos, videos and related information on social media during an attack.
• Wait in cover until the arrival of the Czech Police and continue to follow their instructions.

FIGHT / DEFEND YOURSELF

• If you cannot escape to a safe area or hide, take action. There is no choice but to protect yourself and fight back.
• If your life is in immediate danger - fight.
• Try to disarm the attacker.
• Try to take advantage of the moment of surprise.
• Use whatever you have on hand to fight - improvised weapons (chair, fire extinguisher, books, backpack, etc.).
• If you are in a group, take advantage of your numerical superiority.
• Be fast, aggressive and attack sensitive areas.
• If someone else attacks the attacker, join in the attack.

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Upon arrival of the Police - Be aware:

• The priority of the Czech Police is to find and neutralize the attacker.
• Try to remain calm and listen to their instructions (do not discuss and always obey).
• Do not shout and avoid wild gesticulation (keep your hands in a visible position).
• Provide information about the attacker (number, location of attack, weapon, appearance, clothing, direction of movement,...).
• Help for the injured is on the way.

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Attack with a cold weapon (knife)

This is an attack on a person or group of persons by an assailant using a cold weapon. This is most often an attack with a knife (or a machete, dagger, axe or telescopic baton) or an improvised weapon (e.g. a shard of glass, a sharp pipe, etc.).

Often such an attacker is resigned to the fatal consequences for himself, or is unaware of their possibility because he does not perceive reality. Because of this, he is very unlikely to understand what you are saying to him, what is happening, and will also have very little perception of his own pain - he can only be stopped by force in most cases, regardless of his health or life.

ESCAPE TO A SAFE AREA

• If possible, flee immediately to a safe area away from the attacker, always in the direction away from the attacker.
• Use the emergency exits to escape.
• Get rid of everything that hinders your movement, do not linger and never go back.
• Leave your personal belongings and valuables where they are! Life and health comes first.
• Warn other library visitors of the danger and take them with you to safety.
• On the way, press the fire alarm button (signal for security!).
• Leave first aid until you are safe yourself.
• If possible, and if you do not put yourself in danger, help others to escape.
• In a safe area (out of reach of the attacker), immediately call the Czech Police (phone 158).

HIDE

• If you cannot escape out of the attacker's reach, hide so that the attacker cannot easily see/find you. Create a barrier between yourself and the attacker.
• Never stay in the open.
• Hide ideally in a room without glass walls or doors that can be locked and barricaded.
• When in hiding, be quiet, turn down your cell phone ring and turn off the vibration.
• Turn off the lights in the room, move away from the doors and windows.
• Take cover behind a solid object (always outside the doorway).
• Call the Czech Police (line 158) and describe your situation (who you are, where you are and what is happening).
• Do not communicate with anyone through the door and do not respond to any stimuli.
• Do not share photos, videos and related information on social media during an attack.
• Wait in cover until the arrival of the Czech Police and continue to follow their instructions.

FIGHT / DEFEND YOURSELF

• If you cannot escape to a safe area or hide, take action. There is no choice but to protect yourself and fight back.
• If your life is in immediate danger - fight.
• Try to disarm the attacker.
• Try to take advantage of the moment of surprise.
• Use whatever you have on hand to fight - improvised weapons (chair, fire extinguisher, books, backpack, etc.).
• If you are in a group, take advantage of your numerical superiority.
• Be fast, aggressive and attack sensitive areas.
• If someone else attacks the attacker, join in the attack.

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Upon arrival of the Police - Be aware:

• The priority of the Czech Police is to find and neutralize the attacker.
• Try to remain calm and listen to their instructions (do not discuss and always obey).
• Do not shout and avoid wild gesticulation (keep your hands in a visible position).
• Provide information about the attacker (number, location of attack, weapon, appearance, clothing, direction of movement,...).
• Help for the injured is on the way.

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