APS Risk Management

Fire and emergency drills must be conducted and reported in compliance with Procedural
Directive Emergency Drills and Fire Marshal Inspections.

Frequency of Drills
A. There will be one (1) fire drill per week during the first four weeks of school and one (1)
per month for the following months. For year-round schools, the weekly fire drills should be
conducted when a track begins so that new students are orientated.
B. An obstructed fire drill should be conducted every six (6) months. One or more exits are
blocked prior to the drill. Students should not know in advance that an obstructed drill will
occur.
C. There should be at least one (1) fire drill during each year when students are in the
cafeterias or in the hallways during changes of classes. If the school contains an
auditorium, there should be a fire drill during the use of that facility.
D. For multi-track year-round schools, this means one (1) fire drill per week for the first six
(6) weeks. D track should have three (3) drills in the first three (3) weeks; E track should
have three (3) drills during weeks 4-6. In the following months there should be one drill for
each track change.
E. Schools must also conduct two (2) Homeland Security drills during the course of the
year in addition to fire drills - these may be lockdowns, reverse evacuations,
shelter-in-place, room clear, relocation or duck and cover drills. Consult the APS Safe
School Response Plan for additional information.