New Teachers: Be Prepared for School Fire Drills

Emergency situations, including fires, can occur at any time in a school setting. Keeping students safe is paramount. If you are a teacher, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure that your students reach safety. Particularly, if you're a new teacher-and no doubt already overwhelmed-understanding your part in a school fire drill is mandatory. First of all, become familiar with the school district's policies regarding fire drills. Our school conducted monthly emergency drills, overseen by the fire department. Although they were sometimes designated for another emergency, such as shelter-in-place, most often we could expect fire drills. As a classroom teacher, understand the part you'll play in fire drills.

How the Firemen Tested Me

I found out early in my teaching career that I needed to consider all fire scenarios ahead of time. I was in the middle of teaching a class when two firemen entered my room, unannounced, and in full regalia. They didn't say a word, simply handed me a note that read, "There is a fire in your waste basket, take the appropriate action." As a new teacher, I was intimidated, yet knew I had to respond quickly, since our school was graded on these drills. I told the students it was a fire drill and to proceed to our meeting spot. I pulled the fire alarm in the hallway outside my class. Before following after the students, I went back to the room, albeit feeling a little silly, and pretended to be using the fire extinguisher on the waste basket. Fortunately, this was the correct procedure. Getting students out of the building is of utmost importance, since fires spread quickly. I've had two other, similar experiences with firefighters through the years, so I make it a habit of reiterating the stories to new teachers, who are often targeted.

Teachers Should be Well-Prepared Before Fire Drills

Hang an emergency folder next to your classroom door. Be sure it always includes an updated class roster. Understand your exit route and discuss it with neighboring teachers. Make sure accommodations have been considered for disabled students. Be cognizant of the nearest fire-alarm pull and fire extinguisher. Post your class fire drill exit route near the door. It will be a great help to substitute teachers as well.

Prepare Students Before Fire Drills Occur

At the onset of the school year, physically walk your students though the procedures you'll follow during a fire drill. Don't just talk about expectations. They need to actually see the meeting spot, in case they are deterred. Teach them to form a single-file line by the door as soon as the alarm sounds. Let them know you're aware that there will be students from other classes misbehaving at fire drills, but they had better not join them. Lay out the consequences that will occur in that case. Make sure they understand that you take the responsibility of their safety very seriously.

Take These Actions during a School Fire Drill
(Be aware! Firefighters often pull students out of lines as another 'test'.)

When the fire bell sounds, act quickly and calmly. Never yell. Students will take their cue from you and will pick up on your demeanor. If you're excited, they will be excited also. Make sure you're the last one out of the classroom, so no child is left behind (yes, I've actually seen this happen.) Take roll immediately upon reaching your assigned spot. More than once, firefighters pulled students from my class as we were heading to our destination. Be sure to notify an administrator immediately if you have missing students. At our school, teachers were given signs-one green (all students accounted for) and one red (student/s missing)-to hold up once we had taken attendance.

Fire Prevention Techniques and Fire Prevention Week

Teachers, especially in elementary school, spend time teaching students proper reactions to fire issues. These might include crawling under smoke, or "stop, drop, and roll." The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) has been sponsoring Fire Prevention Week for about 90 years. Designed around the importance of smoke alarms, it will be held from October 3^rd through the 9^th in 2010. Teachers can find fire-prevention activities, including plays and songs, on the NFPA website. The United States Fire Administration has plenty of online activities for younger students on their website as well.

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