Safety drills and Standard Response Protocol (SRP) preparation

In the Hood River School District, we are proud to be able to serve you and your students as we continually strive to provide a safe learning environment for them. The purpose of this article is to help you understand the importance of our safety drills and to understand each type of drill.

The safety of your students and all students in our schools as well as the safety of the school staff and support personnel are very important to us. In order to maintain a safe environment, it is necessary that we practice our emergency and crisis response plans by having drills designed to familiarize students and staff with our procedures. 

The students and staff of your school will be practicing five primary emergency drills each year based on Standard Response Protocol:

• Fire Drills: The school will conduct a “fire drill” when school is in session. This drill is a Fire Code requirement as well as a requirement for all Oregon public schools. We want each student to understand and be aware of the importance of this drill and not be afraid when the fire alarm is sounded.

• Shelter-In-Place Drills: The “Shelter-in-Place” drill will be conducted each school year. The purpose of this drill is to be prepared to move to a safe location within the building in case of severe weather. Students are trained in appropriate hazards and safety strategies. Adults and staff are trained in appropriate hazards and safety strategies; to account for students and adults; to report injuries or problems using what is called the “Red Card/Green Card method.”

• Earthquake Drills: The school will conduct an “earthquake drill” when school is in session. This drill is a specific type of shelter drill that trains students and staff how to react immediately and appropriately.

• Secure Now: The “Secure Now” drill means "Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors." Students are trained to return to the inside of the building and continue business as usual. Adults and staff are trained to bring everyone indoors, lock the outside doors, increase situational awareness, account for students and adults, and do business as usual.

• Lockdown Drills: The school will conduct two “Lockdown Drills” throughout each school year. This type of drill will secure the school building and safely shelter all students, staff and visitors inside the building. The purpose of this drill is to keep the students safe from any danger outside or inside the building. During a “lockdown drill,” students are trained to move away from sight, maintain silence, and do not open the door. Adults and staff are trained to recover students from the hallway, if possible, lock the classroom door, turn out the lights, move away from sight, maintain silence, do not open the door, and prepare to evade or defend.

Please remember that these safety practice drills are done to help keep our schools a safe place to learn and work. If any of these security measures happen in real time, our focus will be on keeping your students safe through preparation and response. Please be patient as we communicate with you to the best of our ability. We will use our mass notification system (phone call, email, and text) to update you, and we will inform you about changes as quickly as possible. 

If you have any questions regarding any of these Safety Drills or other safety concerns, please contact your school office, or the office of the superintendent.