Drop, Cover Hold & Take Cover
- What
- Drop, Cover Hold & Take Cover
- When
- 12/10/2025, 9:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Drop/Cover/Hold On (Earthquake)
This action provides maximum protection during an earthquake or other emergency where the risk of flying or falling debris is present. There is typically no advance warning or signal given. During earthquake drills,
teachers should supervise students and be alert to the position of each student during the entire drill.
Signal: The signal for the drill is the following PA announcement:
"Your attention please. This is a drill. As you are aware, we are experiencing some seismic activity. For everyone’s protection, all students should follow drop, cover, and hold on procedures, which means
you should be in a protected position under a table or desk, away from windows and anything that could fall and hurt you. Hold this position until the shaking stops or you are given further instructions. This is a
drill."
Teachers Review following:
Indoor Earthquake Procedures:
1. Drop to the knees, facing away from windows.
2. Get under desks or tables and hold on to the furniture where possible.
3. Fold body onto floor with arms close to knees.
4. Place head as far as is possible between knees and grasp the furniture legs.
5. Stay in this position until shaking stops.
6. Evacuate using the safest route or evacuation routes practiced during the fire drill and follow evacuation procedures listed above. Teachers are to account for any students with a cognitive disability that may not have understood the directions.
Outdoor Earthquake Procedures:
1. Stay clear of buildings, power lines, light poles, etc
2. Drop to the ground, cover head if possible and hold onto a stable object if available. If stable object is unavailable, place head as far as is possible between knees, cover crown of the head with hands.
3. Remain clear of obstacles and wait until the situation stabilizes and a staff member gives all clear. Move to the emergency Assembly Area. Teachers are to account for any students with a cognitive disability that may not have understood the directions. If an earthquake occurs during non-classroom hours, i.e., passing
periods, nutrition, or lunch, after the shaking stops, all persons will proceed to the Assembly Area and line up in the designated space. Teachers are to account for any students with a cognitive disability that may not have understood the directions.
2nd Drill
Gunfire or blast nearby (Take Cover)
This action provides protection during hazards such as a bomb blast explosion, airplane crash, gas storage, tank explosion, or shooting incident. There is typically no advance warning or signal given.
Signal: The signal for the drill is the following PA announcement:
"Your attention, please. This is a drill. We are implementing a Take Cover Drill.This action provides protection during hazards such as a bomb blast explosion, airplane crash, gas storage, tank explosion, or shooting incident. There is typically no advance warning or signal given.Students and staff are to remain inside the building away from windows and doors securely closed. All students and staff who are outdoors are to immediately move to the protection of a room indoors. As soon as we have further information, we will share it with you. This is a drill."
Teachers Review
Indoor Take Cover Procedures:
1. Drop to the knees with back to a window, place head in lap and
clasp hands behind the neck.
2. Wait quietly for further instructions. Teachers are to account for
any students with a cognitive disability that may not have
understood the directions.
Outdoor Take Cover Procedures:
1. Seek any type of protection (curb, bench, ditch, gutter, etc.)
2. Drop to the ground with back to hazard and clasp hands behind
the neck.
3. Remain in this position until the immediate danger passes and
seek more protective cover if necessary. Teachers are to account
for any students with a cognitive disability that may not have
understood the directions.
Shelter-in-Place (Outdoor airborne contaminant or other hazard)
The Shelter-in-Place action protects students indoors from airborne
contaminants or other environmental dangers that are present outside.
Shelter-in-Place includes the shutdown of classroom and building
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, as no one
should be exposed to outside, contaminated air. Ensure that multiple
people on campus are trained and designated to shut off all HVAC
systems in the event of an incident and that these members practice the
shutdown procedures each semester. Schools are encouraged to clearly
label shut-off switches so that they will be easy to find and operate, and
pictures of switches and shutdown directions can be stored in a binder
with a school map and uploaded to the ISSP for the Security/Utilities
emergency team.
Note: Administrators may manage environmental discomforts that do not
require Shelter-in-Place measures (such as inclement weather or smoke
odors from a wildfire) by implementing an Indoor Activities Schedule.
This is accomplished by closing all doors and windows and running the
air conditioning, as school Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
(HVAC) systems can improve air quality, due to better filtration than
typical home systems. An Indoor Activities Schedule can be implemented
as necessary by an administrator.
The difference between Shelter-in-Place and Lockdown is that a Shelter-
in-Place includes the shutdown of HVAC systems and allows for the free
movement of students within a building. However, classes in bungalows
and buildings with exterior passageways will have to remain in the
classroom during a Shelter-in-Place.
Signal: The signal for the drill is the following PA announcement:
"Your attention, please. This is a drill. We are implementing a Shelter-in-
Place, due to an outdoor environmental hazard. Students and staff are to
remain inside the building away from outside air with windows and doors
securely closed and heating and air conditioning units turned off. Please
cover any cracks under door or around the windows with towels. Cover
any vents to the outside. All students and staff who are outdoors are to
immediately move to the protection of a room indoors. As soon as we
have further information, we will share it with you. This is a drill."
Shelter-in-Place Procedures:
1. All classes will remain in their rooms.
2. Direct any students in hallways into the nearest classroom.
3. Physical education classes or other classes meeting outdoors will
proceed into the gym, auditorium, or multi-purpose room.
4. Have students face away from windows and keep their backs
toward windows.
5. Close all doors and windows and move students away from any
sources of outside air. If possible, cover windows by lowering
blinds, closing slots, drawing curtains, or pulling shades.
6. Turn off Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning units/systems.
7. Cover any vents or holes with posters, paper, or plastic. Use wet
paper towels to fill gaps under doors or windows. Block the
exchange of air to the outside by putting laminated posters over
vents.
8. Turn off gas, lights, power equipment, and appliances.
9. Take and report attendance, as possible. Teachers are to account
for any students with a cognitive disability that may not have
understood the directions.
10. Remain in a protected area until further instructions are received
from official sources.