TxSSC

Per the commissioner of education rules concerning safe schools, drills and exercises should be designed and conducted in accordance with guidance and best practice resources provided by the Texas School Safety Center.

Plan:
Establish purpose, goals, and objectives prior to each planned drill using the Pre-Drill Planning Form
Multidisciplinary Planning:
Drills and exercises should be inclusive of input from:
- The School Safety and Security Committee
- First responders
- Mental and behavioral health professionals including district or campus
  staff and contracted or third party organizations
- Students and families
- Staff from various departments (teachers, paraprofessionals, facilities management, food services, administrative, coaches, etc.)
Elements to Consider When Planning:
Drills and exercises should include:
- Physical and psychological safety for all involved
- A trauma-informed focus that maximizes learning and minimizes trauma
  for all involved
- Advance notification of drills and exercises
- Scheduled time for post-drill or after-action reviews of each drill and exercise
- Age and developmentally appropriate content, actions, and expectations
Benefits of Conducting Drills Early in Semester:
Limited impact in instructional time as rules and procedures are being taught
Recognition of expected response actions in the event a real incident should occur early in the semester
Identification of issues, concerns, or gaps in the training, guidelines, or emergency plan which allows for process revision
Scheduling:
Have the campus safety committee set drill schedule with alternate drill dates in case of unplanned weather and/or campus incidents
Buddy System:
Consider establishing a buddy system in which two or more teachers or staff members can assist substitute teachers and/or staff with protocols and assist with accountability
Minimize Loss of Instruction:
Consider combining drills to meet your district’s drill requirements while saving instructional time—for example, a Secure drill could lead into a Lockdown drill
A drill may, at times, focus on a specific vulnerability or area of the school, instead of the entire campus—for example, a Lockdown drill might only involve the cafeteria during lunch hour

Participation:
Initiate the drill using clear, concise language. No code talk! Repeat at least once for clarity
Expect all students, staff, and visitors to participate, including faculty during their off period(s)
Use visuals or posters to notify visitors attempting to enter the building that a specific drill is taking place
All persons with disabilities or those with access or functional needs, such as a language barrier or mobility needs must be included in all drills, as they may require additional assistance
Invite first responders to campus drills when possible, or at least once a year, to provide both parties experience observing the response actions and allow students the opportunity to observe first responder actions
Observation:
Invite a district leader or local emergency management coordinator to observe a drill and provide written observations and feedback regarding effective practices and improvement areas