8 Types of School Emergency Drills: A Complete Guide

As emergencies evolve and become more frequent, the safety of students and staff in schools is more critical than ever. With the unpredictability of natural disasters, health crises, and security threats, schools must be prepared for a variety of situations. 

Effective emergency drills are the cornerstone of that preparedness, helping schools respond quickly and decisively when seconds count.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that over 90% of public schools annually conduct at least one emergency drill. In 2025, schools must go beyond basic routines and adopt drills that are strategic, thoughtful, and tailored to the unique risks they face. From lockdowns to fire drills, each emergency requires its own approach. 

In this guide, we’ll explore nine types of school drills in 2025, understand their process, and how they prepare/equip your school community to respond in an organized and calm manner.

Why Are Emergency Drills Important in Schools?

Families and communities expect schools to be prepared for fires, natural disasters, accidents, and even active threats. But preparation goes beyond having a plan; it’s about making sure everyone knows how to act in the moment.

A solid Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) outlines roles, responsibilities, and actions to take before, during, and after a crisis. The plan's effectiveness depends on how well it’s practised. Emergency drills turn written plans into real, practised responses. Here are the benefits of emergency drills in schools - 

• Builds Confidence and Reduces Panic - Fear is a natural response to danger, but practising regular drills helps ease it. Students and staff feel more confident when they know what steps to follow during emergencies. This confidence empowers them to take action calmly and helps them stay focused even under pressure. Instead of freezing or panicking, they’re more likely to follow the proper steps and help others.

• Promotes Quick, Organized Responses - Every second counts in a crisis. Drills help students and staff learn where to go, how to get there, and what to do. This speeds up evacuation or lockdowns and minimizes confusion during real emergencies.

• Strengthens Communication and Teamwork - Emergencies demand clear communication, and drills allow schools to practice using intercoms, signals, or designated messengers to get information across quickly. Students also learn to rely on each other—whether helping a peer or following a class leader. This teamwork strengthens trust and unity during tense moments.

• Supports Coordination with First Responders - In many schools, emergency drills include local police or fire departments. This builds relationships and helps responders understand the school layout and routine, leading to faster, more effective help if needed.

• Encourages Staff Readiness - Teachers and school staff are on the front line during any emergency. Drills allow them to practice their specific roles, from leading evacuations to helping students with special needs. The more staff rehearse these actions, the more second-nature they become, reducing delays and uncertainty.

• Reveals Gaps in Safety Plans - No plan is perfect until it's tested. Drills often reveal practical challenges like unclear instructions, hard-to-reach exits, or delays in response. Identifying and fixing these gaps ahead of time can make all the difference in a real emergency. It’s better to discover weak spots during practice than during a crisis.

• Fosters a Culture of Responsibility and Preparedness - Drills don’t just teach procedures; they shape mindsets. Students begin to see safety as a shared responsibility. They learn to stay alert, support peers, and trust school routines. For staff, drills reinforce proactive planning. For families, they offer reassurance that the school community is united and ready to respond.

8 Types of School Emergency Drills

When it comes to keeping schools safe, different emergencies call for different responses, and each type of drill is designed to prepare students and staff for specific situations. Whether it's fire, earthquake, lockdown, or medical emergency, the right drill can make all the difference in how effectively everyone responds.

Each drill addresses specific risks and challenges, helping schools navigate unpredictable situations with clarity and confidence. By understanding the purpose behind each drill, schools can build a stronger, more cohesive safety plan.

Let's look at the eight different types of school drills and how each contributes to a safer school environment.

Lockdown Drills

Lockdown drills are essential to school safety and are designed to prepare everyone for situations involving active threats or dangers around the school. The goal is to ensure everyone knows how to quickly and safely secure themselves in a classroom or other safe areas until the threat is resolved.

During a lockdown drill, staff and students must follow a specific protocol:

• Look out into the hallways and bring in any students, staff, or visitors who may be outside
• Lock the classroom door and secure it
• Turn off the lights to avoid being seen from outside
• Ensure everyone stays out of view from windows or doors

The school must treat the drill as a real emergency, reinforcing the importance of reacting calmly and efficiently when faced with a threat.

Fire Drills

Fires in educational settings are more common than many think. Each year in the United States, an average of 5,500 structure fires occur in educational institutions—public, private, and parochial schools where students attend during the day only. These fires are responsible for approximately 125 injuries, fewer than 5 fatalities, and $50.1 million in fire loss.

Because fires can spread in under 5 minutes, evacuation readiness is critical. Fire drills are designed to help schools respond quickly and safely during emergencies, knowing what to do when the alarm sounds. They also help familiarize everyone with the safest and quickest exit routes, reducing chaos.

During a fire drill, students and staff must follow a specific procedure:

• Teachers should ensure all students line up and move toward the nearest exit.
• Staff assist in maintaining order and lead students to pre-assigned assembly points.
• All doors behind the last person are closed to slow down smoke and flames.
• No one re-enters until emergency services give clearance.

Many schools conduct monthly fire drills and work with local fire departments to ensure all protocols are current. These drills save time and lives.​

Earthquake Drills

In the U.S., thousands of earthquakes occur each year—on average, the U.S. Geological Survey records over 20,000 globally, with states like California, Alaska, Washington, and Oregon being the most earthquake-prone. In these areas, earthquake drills in schools are essential. To stay safe, students are taught the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” method:

• Drop to the ground to prevent being knocked over
• Cover under a desk or sturdy table to protect from falling objects
• Hold On to the shelter until the shaking stops

These steps help reduce injuries during actual tremors. Students are also reminded to stay away from windows, bookshelves, or anything that might fall.

Active Shooter Drills

Active shooter incidents in U.S. schools, while rare compared to other emergencies, have become a growing concern. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 188 school shootings with casualties. This reality has led many schools to adopt active shooter drills as a key part of their safety training.

These drills prepare students and staff for the unthinkable, helping them respond calmly and decisively if a threat arises. Common strategies include:

• Lockdown - Barricade doors, turn off lights and stay silent.
• Hide - Find safe, concealed areas out of view.
• Run or Evacuate - Move quickly away from danger if it's safe.
• Fight (as a last resort) - Distract or defend if directly confronted.

Many drills are conducted in collaboration with local law enforcement, and schools are encouraged to provide age-appropriate instruction and emotional support, especially for younger students.

Severe Weather Drills

Severe weather can strike with little warning, especially in areas of the U.S. prone to tornadoes, hurricanes, or intense storms. According to the National Weather Service, the U.S. sees over 1,200 tornadoes yearly, with the majority occurring in schools across the Midwest and South. That’s why severe weather drills are so important.

These drills help students and staff learn where to go and what to do when sirens or alerts go off. The standard practice is to move to a designated safe area, such as a windowless interior room on the lowest floor and stay low, covering the head and neck. Some schools also practice moving away from portable classrooms and outdoor structures.

Evacuation Drills

Evacuation drills prepare schools for emergencies that require everyone to leave the building or even the campus, such as gas leaks, chemical spills, or bomb threats. While these situations are rare, they can happen quickly and without much warning.

During an evacuation drill, students and staff are guided through specific exits and must move swiftly to designated assembly points safely from the school. Teachers take attendance to ensure every student is accounted for, and administrators coordinate with emergency responders if needed.

The key to a successful evacuation drill is planning and practice. Schools run these drills each year so students know the routes and can move without confusion. According to school safety guidelines, even high school students should participate seriously, as knowing where to go can make a significant difference when time is tight.

These drills also help staff and local authorities identify any weak points in the evacuation plan, like blocked exits or confusion over gathering spots and fix them before a real emergency occurs.

Shelter-in-Place Drills

Shelter-in-place drills prepare schools for emergencies where it’s safer to stay indoors, such as chemical spills, severe storms, or nearby fires. During these drills, students and staff remain in classrooms or designated safe rooms, away from windows and exterior doors. 

Teachers close and lock all doors and may be instructed to turn off ventilation systems or seal gaps under doors if the situation involves hazardous air. Classes continue as normally as possible to keep everyone calm. These drills help students understand that staying put, quiet, and waiting for instructions can sometimes be the safest response to danger outside.

Bomb Threat or Suspicious Package Drills

Bomb threats and suspicious packages are serious concerns in U.S. schools. In 2023, educational facilities—including K–12 schools and universities—were the most targeted, receiving over 1,123 bomb threats, according to the U.S. Bomb Data Center. Many of these disrupted learning and required emergency response. Hence, training for these situations matters.

Simulated Bomb Threat Drills help staff and students understand what to do if a threat comes via phone, email, or social media. These drills focus on remaining calm, notifying authorities, and evacuating if instructed—based on threat assessments by law enforcement.

Suspicious Package Drills teach how to spot unusual or unattended items. Students are taught not to touch or investigate the item but to alert an adult immediately. Staff are trained to isolate the area and evacuate calmly. Coordination with first responders is key in both types of drills.

Tools That Support Modern Emergency Drills in 2025

Surveillance Cameras with Smart Alerts

Surveillance cameras have become a fundamental part of emergency drills. Smart alerts can detect potential threats like unusual movement, dangerous objects, or even specific items such as weapons.

Coram's Surveillance offers features like Gun Detection, License Plate Recognition, and Facial Recognition, allowing quick identification of individuals and potential risks. These cameras also come with Night Vision, providing clear footage even in low-light situations. The ability to send real-time alerts helps teams take immediate action, making emergency responses faster and more accurate.

Emergency Management Systems (EMS)

Emergency Management Systems (EMS) are essential for coordinated, timely responses to medical emergencies, intruder alerts, fires, and severe weather. Core EMS tools include:

• Emergency intercoms and panic buttons for immediate help requests
• Mass notification systems for fast alerts via loudspeakers, texts, or apps
• Perimeter detection systems to monitor unauthorized access

A centralized control platform links all systems, enabling real-time monitoring and response from one location. By integrating these tools, campuses improve emergency readiness, reduce response times, and strengthen safety.

Real-time Communication Apps

Real-time communication apps play a key role in emergency response, allowing instant updates and coordination. Administrators can quickly send alerts, evacuation notices, or safety instructions during lockdowns, fires, or severe weather.

Using push notifications, text messages, or in-app alerts, these tools ensure fast, reliable communication across campus. They help keep students, staff, and security teams connected and informed, supporting swift decision-making and minimizing confusion during emergencies.

Access Control Systems to Secure Zones

Access control systems are crucial for managing who enters and exits campus buildings so that only authorized individuals gain access. Tools like ID card readers and biometric systems (fingerprint or facial recognition) help prevent unauthorized entry to sensitive areas.

Visitor management systems track guest access, ensuring only registered visitors are allowed on campus. Vestibule areas with buzzers provide an extra layer of verification, allowing staff to confirm visitors before granting entry. These systems secure buildings and control movement, preventing students from leaving without permission, thus creating a safer environment.

FAQs

How often should schools conduct each drill?

Schools should conduct drills regularly to maintain preparedness. Among different Types of School Drills, fire drills should be held at least once every semester, and lockdown drills at least twice yearly. Moreover, weather-related drills and other emergency drills should be practised at least once a year. The frequency can vary based on the school’s size and local safety regulations.

Are parents notified before drills?

Parents are notified earlier about scheduling emergency drills, especially for lockdown or evacuation drills. This prepares parents in advance and reduces anxiety. However, some drills, such as fire drills, are often unannounced to ensure students respond authentically to a real emergency.

What are trauma-informed practices in drills?

Trauma-informed practices in different types of school drills include:

• Preparing students with clear, calm explanations beforehand
• Offering opt-outs or alternative participation for affected students
• Conducting drills in a predictable, low-stress manner
• Providing emotional support before and after drills
• Training staff to recognize signs of distress

These practices help reduce anxiety and support student well-being.

Can drills be customized for special education students?

Yes, drills should be customized for special education students, like incorporating clear instructions, visual cues, and smaller group practices. Also, schools should collaborate with educators and parents to adapt drills to meet individual needs and ensure everyone’s safety.

Conclusion

Creating a safe and prepared school environment in 2025 means regularly practising emergency drills. Each drill plays a unique role in helping students and staff respond calmly and effectively in critical situations. Schools today conduct:

• Lockdown Drills
• Fire Drills
• Earthquake Drills
• Active Shooter Drills
• Severe Weather Drills
• Evacuation Drills
• Shelter-in-Place Drills
• Bomb Threat or Suspicious Package Drills

By incorporating mandatory and elective drills into their safety plans, schools foster awareness, reduce panic, and improve response times during emergencies. A consistent and thoughtful approach to types of school drills supports a learning environment where safety and student well-being come first.