How to run effective school emergency drills

As the school year begins, it’s the perfect time to make sure your school emergency drills are organized and ready to go. A well-executed drill can make all the difference in an actual emergency, giving staff and students the confidence to act quickly. But if emergency drills in schools aren’t properly planned, they can lead to confusion when it matters most. Here’s how to make sure your school safety plan is on point and your drills are as effective as possible.

Common issues with school emergency drills

Without proper preparation, school emergency drills can fall short of their goal. Some common problems include:

• Drills without clear objectives
• Scenarios that are too complex to manage
• Insufficient time allotted for drills
• Lack of post-drill review
• Ignoring the emotional impact on students and staff
• Participant safety being overlooked
• Not involving critical agencies, like local emergency services
• Failure to implement follow-up recommendations

How to prepare for school emergency drills

Start by reviewing how past drills have gone, including feedback from teachers, staff, and emergency responders. This helps you identify what worked and what needs improvement. Be sure to check state requirements to know how many emergency drills are needed each year and plan them accordingly.

Focusing on response-based drills, like lockdowns and evacuations, can be more effective than practicing drills for specific hazards, like fire drills. This approach prepares everyone for a range of emergencies since many situations require similar actions. Some key school emergency drills to practice include reverse evacuations, lockouts, clear-the-hall drills, and shelter-in-place procedures.

Simulate real-life conditions

For emergency drills in schools to be effective, they need to feel as real as possible. Avoid announcing the exact time of the drill, but give notice to those who need it (such as students with sensory issues), so they know the day of the drill but not the specifics. It’s important to practice different scenarios under varying conditions, including different times of the day and year.

Make sure that escape routes are clearly posted in every room. This way, students and staff have a constant reminder of what to do and where to go during an emergency. Different alarms or verbal instructions should be in place for different types of emergencies, along with a distinct signal to indicate when the emergency is over.

Running the drill effectively

During the drill, pause if something isn’t working. The goal is to make sure every step is understood, so everyone knows exactly what to do when it counts. Remember, drills shouldn’t involve dangerous actions like climbing out of windows or using real or fake weapons.

Need more guidance?

If you're looking for additional support, check out our guide on preparing for emergency drills or explore FEMA's resources for emergency planning exercises.