In schools, the drill should be conducted at the beginning of the school year. More than just complying with the law, it is an opportunity to prepare people and test procedures.
The start of a new school year brings with it new people, new routines, and new challenges.
New students enroll, new teachers and staff arrive, schedules and routines change, and the spaces are once again filled with activity every day.
But there's one question that shouldn't be put off until later:
If an emergency occurs tomorrow, will everyone know what to do?
🚨 A drill isn't just a requirement. It's preparation.
According to artigo 207.ºparagraph 2(b) of Ordinance No. 1532/2008, dated December 29, as currently in force, in Type IV Facilities—Schools an exercise must be conducted at the beginning of the school year.
And there is an important reason for this.
A drill allows us to put emergency procedures into practice and determine whether, in a real-life situation, people know how to respond.
It's an opportunity to:
- Raise awareness among students, teachers, and staff about emergency procedures;
- Test evacuation procedures;
- Verify that the security teams are familiar with their duties;
- Identify difficulties and constraints;
- Assess evacuation times and conditions;
- Correct procedures before a real-life situation occurs.
🔎 Why hold the drill at the beginning of the school year?
Because the school changes every year.
Some people are joining us for the first time, while others are taking on new roles and routines that they need to get used to.
We shouldn't assume that what worked last year will continue to work this year.
Safety also needs to be revisited, explained, and practiced.
A drill isn't meant to show that everything is perfect.
It helps identify areas that can still be improved.
🧯 Safety can't be improvised. It takes practice.
Preparing a school for an emergency means much more than just having established procedures.
It means ensuring that people are familiar with these procedures and are able to put them into practice when necessary.
The start of the school year is, therefore, the right time to test, evaluate, and improve.
Does your school already have the drill expected?
Alves & Rasteiro supports schools and other organizations in preparing, conducting, and evaluating drills, thereby contributing to a genuine culture of prevention and safety.
