Safety and Security: Drills

October 12th, 2022 /
Spencer Tuinei /
News, Public Relations, Safety and Security Campaign, Student Services

Welcome back to our Safety and Security Campaign. If you’re unfamiliar with the Campaign or what I Love U Guys Means, please check the previous articles and videos and come back soon.

As part of managing and training staff and students on the I Love U Guys protocols, we drill on one of the five protocols every month. More specifically, each school conducts a monthly fire drill (or the Evacuation drill, for those who’ve followed our I Love U Guys series) and every other month, schools drill one of the four other I Love U Guys protocols.

So far, Provo City School District holds a perfect track record for their drills, drilling monthly as scheduled according to best practices outlined in R277-400 School Facility Emergency and Safety.

As a District, we have taken it further with our training, surpassing the state minimum, rehearsing at various times through various measures to prepare for any emergency. Here are a few examples of a few different drill techniques:

Tabletops: allow small groups to assign each distinct member roles in safety scenarios, so they can communicate their ideas and develop solutions to later share with a larger group. Walk-through drills: slowed-down drills allow students to practice how to respond to an emergency. Full-Scale (advanced) simulation exercises: These drills require the collaboration of schools with emergency response teams. Where possible, we ask schools to occasionally involve first responders, better-establishing relationships with law enforcement and staff. Responders can familiarize themselves with our campuses and offer feedback on our drills to best organize efficient emergency response.

We do not currently opt to simulate emergencies. Our district feels that drills using realistic simulations, like firing blank rounds of ammunition, or using special effects like smoke or fog, can potentially traumatize students, staff, and teachers. We aim to practice procedures and communications in drills cleared with students and staff ahead of time. All drills are age and developmentally-appropriate.

These dangers in communities near and far are realities; we do these drills for preparation and prevention. Each practice is a supported rehearsal to build confidence, not trauma. Some staff also work with families to create in-school or at-home arrangements for students who might have sensitivities to our drills. Please get in touch with your teachers or administration if you want to discuss separate drill arrangements.

Our Safety and Security staff members believe that practice builds confidence and reduces anxieties about attending school. Our districts look to continue regularly planned drills to ensure safety, security, and trust within our city.

We’re doing as much as we can to keep our students safe. We’re asking you to help us increase safety. Check in this Friday to learn more about how you and your family can get involved in increasing safety at school and home.