Education

Berkeley County School District Conducts Crisis Simulation

by Nikki Gaskins Campbell

Cainhoy Tornado Drill March 26 2015 Simulated Student Injury 2BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–The Berkeley County School District practiced its responses to a simulated crisis at the Cainhoy Elementary and Middle School this morning.

District staff and principals coordinated the planning and execution of the crisis simulation with the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, Berkeley County Emergency Preparedness Department, Berkeley County EMS and Cainhoy Fire Department.

Law enforcement, first responders and School District staff demonstrated all of the steps during the simulated event that they would take during an actual school emergency.

Cainhoy Tornado Drill March 26 2015 Simulated Student Injury 4Teachers, staff and emergency responders took all proper precautions that they would take place in during an actual incident. The crisis simulation lasted an hour so it would cause no delay to the school day or dismissal.

“We took all precautions to ensure that no students were endangered during the drill and their instructional day was not interrupted,” said Tim Knight, Berkeley County School District Safety and Security Officer.

Several students and teachers were active participants in the drill. Administrators began the simulation with a tornado watch and followed their notification procedures.

Within the scenario, the school were notified that a tornado had touched down and simulated damage had occurred within and around the school.

Area law enforcement and first responders treated this as a full dress rehearsal for an actual event.

These help to build and strengthen relationships and coordination between the school district and emergency responders.

“Berkeley County School District has never had a catastrophic crisis on campus, but it is our responsibility to be prepared and it is in the best interest of everyone to protect our most precious resource, our children,” said Dr. Rodney Thompson, Berkeley County School District Superintendent.
Nikki Gaskins Campbell
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