Ensuring the safety of students is one of your most important responsibilities. In any emergency situation-earthquake, fire drill, stranger or disruption on campus, or dismissal due to weather- you and your students must know exactly what to do and how to do it. It is critical that you teach students the routines for various drills and the importance of responding to each situation in a calm and quick manner. Whatever the emergency, student safety begins with their listening to and following directions.
Learn Your School's Emergency Procedures
Emergency procedures and signals vary enormously depending on the size, location, weather, and potential risk elements of your school. Although all schools have school-wide policies in place, you must be proactive in determining exactly what they are, understanding them completely, and making sure your students are well practiced in following them.
Be the last one out of class during an emergency drill. Never let a student be the last one to leave the classroom during an emergency drill or an actual emergency. You must be the last one out. Make sure the room is empty and close the door behind you. If students have practiced the procedures, they will be able to make the transition to the pre-assigned location without you leading them. If you have a classroom aide, he or she can lead the students.
Have Emergency Contact Numbers Available
Hang a clipboard by the door with your class list and emergency contact numbers so it can easily be grabbed on the way out during a drill or actual emergency.
Make sure students understand how serious appropriate behavior is during an emergency drill. Always stress to students the seriousness of any drill. Because of the importance of the situation, you may want to impose the highest-level corrective action for misbehavior during a drill.