OPINION The futility in emergency drills

Students are desensitized to the magnitude of school emergencies.

It is a normal day in class as students are slouched over their desks — some dozing and some furiously scribbling notes — then a piercing alarm slices through the sluggish air. The students look up in sudden interest, whispering about the possibility of freedom if only for a couple minutes. It is likely the alarm is merely a prank or a drill, but there is the lingering chance of a real crisis. Students seem to view emergency drills as an easy escape from the monotony of the classroom, and do not learn from the instructions presented by the administration and staff. Even if students did take the drills seriously, the procedures are not practiced routinely enough to make an impact; most students forget the training, especially when it comes to a high-stress situation.

The drills are not nearly realistic enough to make a dent in the hard-wired comfort of the brain. The faculty expects students to walk outside calmly and quietly and sit down on the football field for half an hour. This is not a drill, nor an exercise to practice safety; this is a respite from schoolwork and a time to goof off — at least in the minds of students, who know that nothing is truly happening. Students do not absorb the real and dangerous consequences of an emergency without being immersed in the experience.

“The drills are unrealistic and impractical, so no one takes them seriously,” sophomore Elisa Argus said. “The actual drills are not well explained. It kind [of] ends up being a waste of time.”

When the time comes for an emergency to occur, students will be flooding the halls trying to escape rather than following the strict enforced “calm” of the drills. More students are now concerned with taking a Snapchat story of everyone crouching under their desks during an earthquake drill instead of properly taking cover. In the moment, panic and chaos will ensue, and someone will inevitably forget the procedures in the mayhem.

During times of elevated stress, such as during a crisis situation, the logical brain can be overtaken by the fight, flight, or freeze emotional responses. Being trained, and practicing what steps to take in an emergency, makes it possible for the rational side to remain in control.

Mass shooting is a prominent and dangerous situation that serves as the reality for students in the 21st century all throughout America; schools are not giving urgency to the emergencies when students drill them, so students are completely unprepared for the genuine disaster. Some teachers do not even enforce participation in the drills, and instead carry on with their lesson plans as if the drills are mere distractions. Their incredible confidence in their lessons supersede even the safety of schools that necessitate emergency practices.

There is a clear plan of action if a lockdown were to occur during class time. But what should happen if a shooter were to start shooting during a passing period, or a break? When students are not in the classrooms, they are not given any instructions concerning their well-being in an emergency. The educational institutes in this country have an obligation to prepare students in the face of tragedy.

People need drills that mimic authentic emergencies and instructions on what to do if outside of the familiarity of classrooms. The education system needs to do more to help protect schools, and especially students. Instead of warning students for every drill and strolling along the Diamond sidewalk, schools should enforce a surprise drill every once in a while — partnering with the police and fire departments to do so. Making these exercises as realistic as possible will magnify the impact of the reality of these emergencies — and the impacts matter when the difference between life and death could be a lapse in memory. Saving time for tedious lesson plans is not more important than saving lives.

Boos & Bravos

Tiger’s cheers and jeers for the month of November

BOO to people who argue on the phone. At least put it on speakerphone so I can know whose side I am on.

BOO to Georgia. She indecisive like me fr.

BOO to Midnights. I’m actually not the problem.

BOO to turkeys. Let Mariah have her moment.

BOO to the periodic table. None of it is periodical.

BOO to Outside Reading Books. I was not informed that I had to read it outside. There are leaves in my hair.

BRAVO to Jessie’s girl. Where can I find a woman like that?

BRAVO to Heidi Klum. I would still love you as a worm.

BRAVO to No Nut November. The kids with nut allergies can finally catch a break.

BRAVO to Adam Sandler for making a Hanukkah song. What a way to be inclusive!

BRAVO to Middletown. Not even kidding, I think I actually reached nirvana after watching that.