Training, Drilling, and Exercising Toolkit
2.2 Best Practices
Plan:
- Establish goals and objectives prior to each planned drill using the Pre-Drill Planning Form
Multidisciplinary Planning:
- Drills and exercises should be inclusive of input from:
- The School Safety and Security Committee
- First responders
- Mental and behavioral health professionals (this includes district/campus staff and contracted/third-party organizations in your community you collaborate with)
- Students and families
- Staff from various departments (teachers, paraprofessionals, facilities management, food services, administrative, coaches, etc.)
Elements to Consider When Planning:
- Drills and exercises should include:
- Physical and psychological safety for all involved
- A trauma-informed focus that maximizes learning and minimizes trauma for all involved
- Advance notification of drills and exercises
- Scheduled time for post-drill or after-action reviews of each drill and exercise
- Age and developmentally appropriate content, actions, and expectations
Benefits of Conducting Drills Early in Semester:
- Limited impact in instructional time, as rules/procedures are being taught
- Recognition of expected response actions in the event a real incident should occur early in the semester
- Identification of issues, concerns, or gaps in the training, guidelines, or emergency plan which allows for process revision
Scheduling:
- Have the campus safety committee set drill schedule with alternate drill dates in case of unplanned weather and/or campus incidents
Buddy System:
- Consider establishing a buddy system in which two or more teachers/staff members can assist substitute teachers and/or staff with protocols and assist with accountability
Minimize Loss of Instruction:
- Consider combining drills to meet your district’s drill requirements while saving instructional time—for example, a Secure drill could lead into a Lockdown drill.
- A drill may, at times, focus on a specific vulnerability or area of the school, instead of the entire campus—for example, a Lockdown drill might only involve the cafeteria during lunch hour.
Participation:
- Initiate the drill using clear, concise language; no code talk! Repeat at least once for clarity
- Expect all students, staff, and visitors to participate, including faculty during off period
- Use visuals/posters to notify visitors attempting to enter the building that a specific drill is taking place
- All persons with disabilities or those with access or functional needs, such as a language barrier or mobility needs should be included in all drills, as they may require additional assistance that needs to be considered
- Invite first responders to campus drills when possible, at least once a year, to provide both parties experience observing the response actions and allow students the opportunity to review first responder actions
Observation:
- Invite a district leader or local emergency management coordinator to observe during a drill and provide written observations/feedback regarding effective practices and improvement areas
Documentation:
- Complete the Drill Documentation Form
- Request feedback from broad spectrum of participants using the Post-Drill Campus Feedback Form
- Gather observer feedback report using the Drill Evaluator Form
- Conduct After-Action Review (AAR) to share results with campus safety and security committee
- Communicate drill activities to parents, including the type of drill conducted and praise for student/staff involvement