Lockdown drill prepares school, first responders

After years of preparation, research, organization and planning between the Thompson Falls School District, law enforcement and Sanders County emergency responders, a successful lockdown drill at Thompson Falls High School was implemented last week. School Resource Officer Bob Thornhill said that the greatest achievement may be the collaborative efforts between Sanders County emergency responders and the Thompson Falls School District.

Although school teachers and staff have had prior training in lockdown procedures, this was the first time students were involved, as well as all emergency personnel, which gave it a more realistic effect and made the responsibilities of each individual come together.

"We do drills, but not to this scale," Superintendent Bill Cain stated. "There were really nice coordination efforts to get this in order, we have got to have this stuff in order." Cain shared that this generation is growing up in a time when schools must prepare students for this type of scenario.

Some students who have relocated to the Falls area did not feel the lockdown was anything out of the ordinary, nor did they feel scared. One former Texan said she had been in two real-life lockdowns. Another student from Colorado agreed and both stated that in a real-life situation, the atmosphere is more chaotic than a drill, hence the reason the drill was organized.

As each emergency is handled differently, teachers have different requirements in handling the situation. Teacher Penny Beckman shared that in a real situation there will undoubtedly be panic. Therefore, she's glad that each classroom has a prepared medical bag, class rosters and a booklet that provides a task checklist for teachers depending on the scenario in which they find themselves. The booklet covers 13 different emergency circumstances.

"We had more responders then we thought we were going to get," Thornhill stated. "This is a culminating event. One more task checked off, now on to the main event."

What Thornhill meant by "main event," was that next month the school will implement a more intense drill, an active shooter scenario. In comparison to a lockdown, an active shooter situation is more complicated in terms of an actual shooter being active and present on school property.

Cain commented that notes will be shared on how the drill went, and further developments will transpire based on those thoughts. "The kids did great, the teachers did great, and law enforcement and emergency personnel did a great job of collaborating," commended Cain.