Homeland Security Drills to Improve Emergency Preparedness Signed Into Law
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January 13, 2010
Legislation aimed at improving emergency preparedness was signed into law January 11 by Gov. Jon S. Corzine. The new law, P.L.2009, c.178 (A-3002 / S-2518) requires public and nonpublic schools to conduct one monthly school security drill and one monthly fire drill, in comparison to two fire drills, in order to improve emergency preparedness in schools.
The new law defines a school security drill as “ an exercise, other than a fire drill, to practice procedures that respond to an emergency situation including, but not limited to, a non-fire evacuation, lockdown, or active shooter situation and that is similar in duration to a fire drill.”
P.L.2008, c.178 also amends current law to allow public school teachers to lock doors and exits during a simulated emergency lockdown drill.
Under the new law the Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, the Attorney General, the Director of the Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Community Affairs and the Director of the State Office of Emergency Management in the State Police are to develop and disseminate training curriculum to each school district and nonpublic school in order to assist them in implementing school security drills. Each local board of education or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school would be responsible for ensuring that all of their full-time teaching staff members are provided with school safety training and instruction on the implementation of school security drills.
During the legislative process, NJPSA had an opportunity to provide information on what the current process and procedure is with regard to school security drills. We indicated that New Jersey’s approach to school security is proactive, aggressive, and mindful of the need for careful planning and preparation. We provided committee members with some background on how safety and security plans are developed and updated as well as how often staff receive training. We focused on how districts practice lockdowns, including planning and involvement by local first responders and provided committee members some statistics on how long a full scale evacuation might take.
NJPSA raised a concern about a school’s ability to conduct these drills within the time frames proscribed without significantly disrupting instruction. We further emphasized that school leaders must balance thorough preparation with disruption in instructional time and requested a quarterly, not monthly security drill requirement.
Thanks to NJPSA efforts, the Department of Homeland Security will look to integrate existing practices at the local level, where possible.
The legislation takes effect November 1, 2010.