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District praises quick evacuations in first fire drill; countywide October drill planned
Summary
Administrators said students and staff evacuated quickly during the district's first fire drill and announced a larger October exercise with Orange County EMA to simulate a major incident on a staff day.
District administrators on Monday praised staff, school resource officers and students for orderly evacuations during the first fire drill of the year and said the exercise showed improved emergency procedures.
A district staff member noted an initial safety pause of about 20 seconds while staff checked conditions, then “everyone's out” and occupants were accounted for. The administrator added the drill included SROs and first responders and praised the seriousness with which students and staff treated the drill. “God forbid we ever have to actually do something like that,” the staff member said of a real emergency, underscoring why the district is increasing preparedness efforts.
Administrators also announced a larger planned drill in October, scheduled on a staff day to allow a full simulation without students in the building. The October exercise will involve Orange County EMA and local support services so schools can practice coordinated responses and mutual assistance across the county. The district said the county exercise aims to build consistency so neighboring schools can assist one another if an incident occurs at a particular campus.
Board members who spoke during the meeting echoed the view that safety is the district's top priority and said they would continue to work with first responders to review procedures after each drill.
