PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
SEARCH … Fayette Fire Department personnel search through elementary school classrooms during the mock tornado disaster drill held May 6.
INJURED … Firefighters kneel beside Zander Johnston after locating him inside Fayette Local Schools during the mock tornado disaster drill held May 6.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
Fayette Local Schools held a full-scale mock disaster drill at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, involving students, staff, and emergency personnel from local agencies. Parents were notified ahead of time that the drill would be taking place.
The scenario centered around a simulated direct hit from a tornado on the school building, including injured students inside the building.
Students first followed tornado safety procedures by leaving their classrooms and taking shelter positions in the hallways.
Once all clear was given, students evacuated the school and moved to the Church of the Nazarene building down the street, which served as the reunification site for parent pickup.
Attendance was taken again at the church as part of the school’s reunification process.
According to Assistant Police Chief Bill McConnell of the Fayette Police Department, who also serves as the school resource officer at Fayette Local Schools, the exercise fulfilled a state requirement for public school districts in Ohio.
McConnell explained that Ohio schools are required to conduct a full-scale exercise every three years. During the off years, schools conduct tabletop exercises and other emergency drills.
“This is fulfilling the requirements for that exercise and state mandate,” McConnell said during the drill.
He said the district chose a tornado scenario because of the frequency of severe weather in northwest Ohio. He also noted that years ago, a tornado passed over the school, causing limited damage, but serving as a reminder of the importance of preparation.
“Anything is possible with the weather in northwest Ohio, especially this time of the year,” McConnell said.
After students evacuated, emergency responders arrived at the school and conducted a mock search of the building. Firefighters searched for injured students as part of the scenario, while EMS personnel prepared to provide treatment and transport.
Two students, Tucker Johnston and Zander Johnston, participated as simulated victims. Firefighters located the students, and EMS personnel then took over treatment before transporting them as part of the drill to Fulton County Health Center.
The exercise gave school officials and emergency responders the opportunity to practice several parts of an emergency response, including sheltering students, evacuating the building, searching the school, treating injured students and carrying out reunification procedures.
The drill also allowed students and staff to walk through what would happen in a serious weather emergency, while giving local first responders a chance to practice coordination inside and around the school building.