Bellwood-Antis security conducted a drill Wednesday that has the potential to save hundreds of lives.
It also happens to be the drill Tim Mercer and the B-A security team hopes to never execute. It is known as a run-hide-fight scenario.
In coordination with the Bellwood Borough Police Department, the Bellwood-Antis School District conducted a run-hide-fight drill in all three district buildings.
The goal of the drill was to teach staff and students how prepare for a real emergency scenario involving an intruder in the school building. Before the drill, students attended an assembly to prepare them for what was to come and to discuss the importance of preparedness drills like this one, even though they may be scary.
Principal Schreier and Officer Mercer informed students and staff what to do during a run-hide-fight scenario, as well as other types of emergency situations.
“This would be used in our worst case scenario,” Officer Mercer explained during the assembly.
Essentially, run-hide-fight gives teachers and students options when faced with a dangerous intruder, and those options are based on their assessments of the situation in real time. Those people far enough away from the epicenter of a dangerous situation could choose to run and exit the building. Those closer to the incident might have to hide and barricade themselves from danger. Others might have to fight and confront an intruder head-on.
During the drill students turned off all electronics, teachers locked classroom doors, and everyone huddled in a designated place in the classroom out of sight from the window in the door. The designated spot was chosen by Bellwood-Antis staff so that it would appear that nobody was in the classroom if an intruder were to look through the door.
Tim Mercer elaborated, “Shooters do not go into locked rooms. To them, time is bodies,” when speaking to students at the assembly.
It is important to note that what students experienced was only is only hide portion of the drill, and in a real emergency scenario people should do what they feel is appropriate in their situation in order to stay alive.
“(It) doesn’t mean you have to go through the sequence in order.” Tim Mercer stated. He explained that students and staff should be prepared to run or even fight based on the situation at hand.
This is the second time Bellwood has conducted this drill. The first time a run-hide fight-drill was conducted was February 23rd of this year.
“It’s insane that we have to prepare for that kind of situation,” senior Janiyah Jackson commented. “However, I think its good to be ready for anything.”
