Annual Fire Drills Support a Safer Campus Community

Did you know that the month of September is recognized as both Campus Safety Month and National Preparedness Month? This makes it an ideal time for ISU to conduct annual fire evacuation drills across campus.

This means over the next two weeks, classes, labs, or other activities on the Pocatello or Idaho Falls campuses may briefly be disrupted. Additionally, students on the Meridian campus will continue to participate in evacuation drills monthly in conjunction with Renaissance High School. Students living in on-campus housing can expect to practice at least four times per year. 

When you hear a fire alarm, stop what you are doing and immediately exit the building using the nearest exit. Remember to close doors behind you and avoid using elevators anytime the fire alarm is activated. Go to the assembly area and wait for further instructions. Do not re-enter the building until you are told to do so. 

Students who have special needs, concerns or may require assistance during an evacuation, are encouraged to reach out to ISU Disability Services at (208) 282-3599, or the Department of Public Safety at (208) 282-2515.

Why Drills Matter?

While fire evacuation drills may feel inconvenient, these exercises are designed to prepare the campus community for a real emergency. Practicing evacuation procedures helps ensure everyone knows how to respond quickly, calmly, and safely if a fire or other emergency occurs. 

Fire evacuation drills are designed to help students:

• Become familiar with the nearest exits from classrooms, labs, offices, residence halls, and other campus buildings.
• Provide the opportunity to identify designated assembly areas.
• Reinforce the important reminders such as closing doors as you exit a building and never using elevators during a fire alarm.
• Build confidence so that responding safely becomes second nature.

Every successful drill strengthens our campus’s ability to respond effectively to a real emergency. They also give campus safety officials an opportunity to evaluate procedures, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure that campus spaces can be evacuated efficiently. 

Make September Your Safety Starting Point

National Preparedness Month reminds us that preparedness begins long before an emergency occurs. Take a few minutes this September to familiarize yourself with the buildings you use every day. Locate at least two exits, identify your assembly area, and think about how you would respond if an emergency happened unexpectedly. 

The knowledge you gain today could make all the difference tomorrow. So take it one step further and check out the information and emergency resources available through the Department of Public Safety and by visiting ready.gov. 

This September, when the fire alarm sounds, don’t think of it as an interruption - think of it as an investment in your safety and the safety of everyone around you.