Like most high schools throughout the country, Marist conducts required safety drills. Students go through the motions, but do they take them seriously enough? An MHS Media poll reveals mixed opinions on these drills. In the future, students may be directed to go off campus for one of them.
“Instead of just doing a pure lockdown drill, I would have it where we could actually leave because the best thing you could ever have if something bad happened would be distance,” says Marist Director of Security Mike Callahan. “Chicago police, the sheriffs’ police in Alsip, and Oak Lawn, they would all assist us. Mrs. Dunneback’s on board, too, so we’re just trying to figure out if we could ever do it.”
A lot of planning goes into all the drills.
“We have to do three fire drills, one tornado drill, and one lockdown drill. We have to document them and send them to the state every year, and we plan them in the summer and pick out our dates,” says Callahan.
Staff members and teachers’ preparation plays a big role.
“For fire drills and tornado drills, I think they’re so used to doing them. They’re prepared for them. Then, the lockdown drill, which has become new in the last few years, is taking a while to adjust too,” says Callahan.
Lockdown Drills
Imagine an intruder comes into a school and the procedure is to hide in a corner, while the lights are shut off and the doors are closed. Lockdown drills are designed to protect and prepare students in case of a real emergency, but there are some students that question their effectiveness.
“If there is a lockdown and someone bad comes in the school, I don’t think it’s best to sit in the corner. I think the better option is to climb out the window,” says an anonymous student.
In an MHS survey of 133 students, only 35.3% said they feel extremely confident in lockdown drills.
The lockdown drill may be becoming the most important one, and that is why Callahan is considering changes.
“No one’s died in a school fire since 1958, and the last person we had die in a school by a shooting was this year,” says Callahan.
Tornado Drills
Tornado drills are practiced to help students feel safe in case of a bad storm hitting while in school. The procedure of tornado drills for students is to get away from all windows, kneel against the wall, protect their neck and head with their hands. If someone is taller they may have to stand over someone kneeling while also protecting their head as well, and remain quiet waiting for further instruction.
“I feel very confident in tornado drills because they’re easy and the teachers help us get into safe positions and places if there were ever a real tornado,” says junior Kailynn Solis.
The poll found more than 85% of students feel at least “somewhat confident” in tornado drills.
Fire Drills
Fire drills aim to get students out of a burning building as fast as possible, using effective exit strategies.
Most students responded they know what to do, with 44.4% of them feeling “extremely confident” in fire drills.
“I know what door to go out if there is a fire,” says junior Carsyn Smith.
Drill Preparation
Some students don’t take drills as seriously, which can result in danger in the event of a real emergency.
“Everyone’s laughing and they don’t take it serious because they know it’s a drill,” says Smith.
“I think they’re unrealistic because were all timed and being told to stop talking, even though we know it’s a drill,” says Solis.
The level of realism, and students’ response, might be different if lockdown drills eventually send students off campus. Regardless, there is one thing for students to always remember in a case of emergency.
“Stay calm and think on your feet, no matter what it is. It’s hard but it’s true, and be a leader,” says Callahan.
