by Luke Stanley, Rory Railsback, and Jake Case (Posted on September 20 @ 2:04 PM)
At Alamo Heights, well-established safety protocols are essential to ensuring the safety and well-being of students. Emergencies are unpredictable and can happen at any time. The best way to handle them is with clear and well-thought-out safety protocols. To gain a better understanding of these protocols and their importance, Eddie Ray, who serves as the Safety Coordinator for Alamo Heights District, offered his perspective on the protocols and why we need them.
Emergency Preparedness: The Importance of Knowing Safety Protocols
During an emergency, staying safe involves several key factors. According to Mr. Ray, “The most important thing during an emergency is knowing where the emergency exits are and where the fire alarms are.” The worst thing during an emergency is not knowing what to do or what is happening, so make sure to pay attention during fire drills and other emergency drills so you are prepared for when a real emergency occurs.
The Role of Drills in Preparing for Emergencies
Mistakes happen all the time, but an emergency is not the time for mistakes. That’s why we have drills to practice and prepare. “Drills are extremely important because it’s like a sport, you can’t play in the game if you don’t practice,” Mr. Ray emphasized. Without fire and lockdown drills, emergencies would be chaos. While you may think drills are tedious and pointless, they are essential to our safety in real emergencies.
Staff Training: A Key Element in School Safety
When it comes to emergency preparedness, it’s not just students who need to be ready—teachers and staff play a critical role too. “We train on it, staff get together and train on what to do during emergencies,” Mr. Ray explained. It’s reassuring to know that our teachers are also equipped to handle emergency situations alongside us.
Preventing Emergencies: The Power of Awareness
Learning about safety protocols isn’t all about recognizing what to do when an emergency happens; it’s also about knowing how to prevent emergencies. As Mr. Ray puts it, “If you see something that looks weird or out of place, tell someone.” Mr. Ray’s advice highlights the importance of being alert and speaking up, which are key parts of Alamo Heights’ safety protocols, and making sure our school is a safe environment.
At the end of the day, the safety of Alamo Heights is a shared responsibility. Although drills, training, and staying alert all help keep our school safe, we all share a role in keeping our school and district safe. Emergencies are unpredictable, but with strong safety protocols, we can be ready. As Mr. Ray reminds us, paying attention and speaking up could be the key to preventing something serious—and that’s something every student can do.
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