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Sergeant at arms briefs House Judiciary on emergency procedures and meeting safety
Summary
The committee sergeant at arms reviewed evacuation routes, lockdown and active shooter guidance, and rules for interactions with lobbyists and the public.
Walt Chauncey, the sergeant at arms assigned to the House Judiciary Committee, briefed members on emergency procedures, evacuation routes and meeting-area safety at the opening meeting.
Chauncey told members the primary exit in an evacuation is the north main doors and the committee’s rally point is the northeast corner of the Capitol complex. He reviewed standard earthquake and lockdown procedures and advised that, in an active-shooter situation, participants should “run, hide, or fight,” noting the far-east window would be the practical egress if exiting through a window is required and that other windows are not usable because of protected window wells. Chauncey also advised the committee that members should hold conversations with lobbyists or the public outside the committee area in the public seating area or hallways and that AV and media equipment should remain in the designated corner to avoid distractions and trip hazards.
A committee member asked the sergeant at arms to clarify room orientation because closed shades can make directionality unclear; Chauncey confirmed the room faces south and reiterated which windows and exits are usable. Chauncey concluded by asking members to avoid the area with cords and equipment behind the representatives’ table because it is a trip hazard.
Why it matters: Emergency procedures and room-specific guidance ensure committee members, staff and the public know evacuation routes and safety expectations in a range of possible incidents.
