Bement schools to hold first reunification drill
BEMENT, Ill. (WCIA) — The Bement School District will be conducting its first ever reunification drill on Wednesday morning.
In emergency evacuations, victims are often transported from the site of danger and brought to a safe area where they can reunite with their family and friends. Reunification drills can help people prepare for this situation. On March 27, Bement schools will participate in this exercise for the very first time.
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For the evacuation portion of Wednesday’s drill, a fire alarm will sound and students will be instructed to exit the building. They will congregate at the Bement Lions Club, then be bussed to the Monticello Christian Church.
An alert will then be sent to parents through social media and the school mass communication system, notifying that they must reunite with their children at the church. Upon arrival, parents must show proper identification to pick up their student. If a parent is unable to participate in the drill, their student will be brought back to school at the end of the drill then dismissed.
These drills are not required for schools, but the Bement School District believes it is better safe than sorry.
“While we sincerely hope to never have to implement our Reunification plan, conducting this drill will better prepare us for situations requiring the evacuation and reunification of our students with their guardians,” Superintendent Mary Vogt said.
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The out-of-town reunification site at Monticello Christian Church was chosen to lessen traffic between reuniting parents and first responders. In the event of a school emergency, first responders will need full access to roadways.
“Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students remains our top priority,” Superintendent Mary Vogt said. “While conducting this drill entails significant planning and may disrupt our parents’ usual routines, it is important for our community to grasp our procedures for reuniting students with their caregivers during a real emergency. Whether it’s a gas leak, tornado, fire, or any other crisis, our readiness to reunite students with their parents or guardians is an important part of the process. Through this practice, our aim is to reduce the confusion, stress, and anxiety that may arise for all parties involved in the event of an actual emergency.”
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The drill will be conducted in collaboration with several area departments, agencies, and organizations, as well as the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
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