ADM 12.2
Emergency response drills conducted within Archdiocesan schools fall into two categories. The two main categories are fire drills and other emergency response drills. Each school is to conduct drills on a regular basis during the year. After review of protocols with the faculty and staff (annually), all fire and safety drills are conducted in accordance with the following provisions.
Purpose:
To provide for the safety of students and staff.
To prepare students and staff to respond in case of emergency.
Commentary/Procedural Points:
Education Article Section 7-408.1, fire drills in nonpublic schools requires the following:
(a) Each nonpublic school in the State shall hold fire drills in accordance with the State Fire Prevention Code established under § 6-206 of the Public Safety Article.
(b) Each nonpublic school shall:
(1) Keep records of these fire drills; and
(2) Send a copy of the records to the State Board.
Schools fully protected by automatic sprinklers must conduct five fire drills per year, with at least two drills in the first four months. Schools not fully protected by automatic sprinklers must conduct eight fire drills per year, with at least three in the first four months.
Record each fire drill using the State Mandated Fire Drills form. The form can be located at https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/Documents/DEE/ApprovedNonpublicSchools/NPS_Record_of_Fire_Drill-A.pdf or in Section ADM 12.2 of the School Manual. Completed reports must be submitted to the Office of Risk Management for submission to the Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Non-Public School. The log must be signed by the principal and submitted by June 30 annually.
The second type of emergency response drills are described under COMAR, Section 13A.02.02.04. The provision of this law requires as follows:
04 Emergency Plan.
C. Each local school system and the SEED School shall develop and implement an annual schedule of drills for each school grounds within the system. In addition to fire drills, the following drills shall be conducted at intervals as noted:
(1) Evacuation;
(2) Shelter in place;
(3) Reverse evacuation;
(4) Lock down;
(5) Drop, cover, and hold; and
(6) Severe weather.
In accordance with Department of Catholic Schools requirements, schools are to conduct Lock Down drills three times a school year, with one drill each trimester. The first lock down drill is to be a “teaching drill” to include instruction on what the purpose of the lock down drill is, when the response is implemented and steps taken to execute a lock down response. Complete each of the other drills listed in C above once a school year.
Document each emergency response drill using the AOB Emergency Response Drills mandated form. Submit completed reports to the Office of Risk Management for submission to the Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Non-Public School. The principal must sign the log and submit the completed form by June 30th annually.
For additional information on the standard response protocols, the emergency response drills an
the interrelationship between the responses and drills, please see the Standard Response Protocols and Emergency Response Drills Job Aid.
References:
June 24, 2015