Fire and Safety Drill Requirements
ADM 12.2
Fire and crisis safety drills are conducted in each school on a regular basis during the year. After review of protocols with the faculty and staff (annually), fire and safety drills are conducted within the first 2 weeks of school.
Purpose:
To provide for the safety of students and staff.
To prepare students and staff to respond in case of emergency.
Commentary/Procedural Points:
Fire Drills: The Maryland state law mandates that schools must conduct 10 fire drills per year, and at least one fire drill every sixty days.
Other Drills: In accordance with the revisions adopted under COMAR in 2013, Code of Maryland Regulations 13A.02.02.02-.04 – Emergency Plans requires at least one of each of the following drills is to be conducted during the school year.
Evacuation: Students and staff are led to the closest and safest way out of a building and roll is taken.
Reverse evacuation : Students and staff are moved as quickly as possible back into secure buildings and roll is taken.
Lock-down: Students are instructed to report to the nearest classroom, close and lock all doors and windows. Students/staff should move away from doors and windows. Everyone should remain quiet throughout lock-down.
Shelter-in-place: Students and staff report to assigned locations. Ideally, the locations are away from windows and in the core of the building. Put signs in the windows about sheltering. For a chemical or biological event, turn off HVAC/air conditioning system and put tape on windows and on outside door.
Drop, cover and hold: Students and staff take cover under a desk (DROP), away from windows, cover eyes (COVER), make efforts to protect vital organs, and hold onto the desk legs (HOLD).
Based upon the above, each school would be required to conduct a minimum of 15 drills.
The school maintains a log of dates and times of fire drills and crisis safety drills.
Emergency exit notices are placed in every room.
References:
June 24, 2015