INSTRUCTION

Emergency Drills

A. Fire Drills

There shall be at least two fire exit drills during the first two weeks of a school term and eight additional fire exit drills per year. In climates where the weather is severe during the winter months, at least six drills shall be held at the beginning of the school term and four drills after the winter months to complete the ten required drills.

B. School Bus Emergency Evacuation Drills

State law mandates that bus emergency evacuation drills shall be conducted within the first ninety calendar days of each school year, and more often, if necessary. The following procedures will be followed for such drills:

1. Each school semester the Office of Transportation shall inform all school principals of the time period in which evacuation drills are to be conducted.

2. The transportation assistant shall schedule the drills during the period specified. They shall establish a schedule for each bus serving their school and provide their drivers with a copy of the procedure for conducting a school bus emergency evacuation drill.

3. Each school shall submit a report to the Office of Transportation upon completion of the required evacuation drills. The report shall include the school bus numbers, dates the drills were satisfactorily completed, and the name of the school.

C. Bomb Threat Drills and Bomb Threats

Each school shall incorporate within the required number of fire drills at least two bomb threat evacuation drills during the school year, one within the first forty-five days of each semester.

In the event of a call or notice to the effect that a bomb has been placed in a school or other building or establishment, the following procedures are recommended:

1. School personnel who receive a call of a bomb threat are required to immediately notify the Administrator of the building or his/her designee who upon assessment of threat will determine if a call to the 911 emergency number is necessary. Once such determination has been made by a building official he/she will call 911 to report the bomb threat and request assistance from the fire and police departments. The Department of School Administration should also be contacted, along with the Office of Student Leadership, and faxed a copy of the Record of Incident form.

2. The Administrator of the building or his/her designee shall assess the threat, referencing the Bomb Threat Assessment Guide, to determine the appropriate response.

3. A search of the building(s) and/or grounds should be conducted by school personnel, under the direction of the Administrator of the school building with assistance from the fire and police departments.

4. If a suspicious object is found in and around the building, it should be left for removal by the police department's bomb squad.

5. If a thorough search has been conducted and nothing found, the Administrator of the school building, in consultation with the senior member of either the police or fire department, will decide when re-entry will be permitted.

6. Investigation of the incident should be made by the Fire Marshal's Office.

D. Intruder/Lock-down Drills

Each school shall incorporate at least two “internal” intruder/lock-down drills during the school year, one within the first forty-five (45) days of each semester.

1. An Internal Lock-down is where all students and staff are confined behind locked doors. All exterior and interior doors are locked, and students and staff are to be quiet and out of sight.

2. An external lock-down is where only the exterior doors are locked, and instruction may be conducted as normal. No classes or activities are to be conducted outside until the lock-down is called off.

E. Tornado Drills

At a minimum, each school shall conduct a tornado drill every school year, in order that students may be thoroughly familiar with the drill. Where possible, students should be moved from their classrooms to the hallways and seated on the floor facing the wall with knees drawn up and arms folded over their faces. If necessary, additional rows can be placed behind.

F. Shelter-in-Place

Shelter-in-Place is a protection to minimize exposure to a dangerous chemical or atmospheric substance. Staff and students should be relocated from their classroom to a structure, such as a gymnasium, where there would be a minimum of windows and a limited flow of outside air. Schools should conduct at least one drill within the first forty-five (45) days of school to see what alternative means might be necessary if space does not accommodate the entire student body and staff.

Any decision concerning the dismissal of school students and subsequent action after the above procedure has been followed is the prerogative of the superintendent or a designee.

Editor's Note
For delayed opening/emergency closing of schools see School Board Policy 6-15 and any implementing regulation.

Legal Reference:

Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code 13 VAC 5-51.

Approved by Superintendent: October 19, 1993
Revised by Superintendent: May 6, 1997
Revised by Superintendent: August 6, 2003