FIRE DRILLS

The information that follows is taken from NYS Education Law, Section 807.  The two paragraphs below are direct quotations from the Law, and are the two paragraphs pertinent to building-level operations.

It shall be the duty of the principal or other person in charge of every public or private school ... to instruct and train the pupils by means of drills, so that they may in a sudden emergency be able to leave the school building in the shortest possible time and without confusion or panic.  Such drills or rapid dismissals shall be held at least twelve times in each school year, eight of which required drills shall be held between September first and December first of each year.  At least one-third of all such required drills shall be through fire escapes on buildings where fire escapes are provided.  In the course of at least one such drill, pupils shall be instructed in the procedure to be followed in the event that a fire occurs during the lunch period, provided however, that such additional instruction may be waived where a drill is held during the regular school lunch period.  At least four additional drills shall be held in each school year during the hours after sunset and before sunrise in school buildings in which students are provided with sleeping accommodations.  At least two additional drills shall be held during summer school in buildings where summer school is conducted, and one of such drills shall be held during the first week of summer school.

In the case of after-school programs, events or performances which are conducted within a school building and which include persons who do not regularly attend classes in such school building, the principal or other person in charge of the building shall require the teacher or other person in charge of such after-school program, event or performance to notify persons in attendance at the beginning of each such program, event or performance, of the procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency so that they may be able to leave the building in a timely, orderly manner.

Failure of a principal or other person in charge of a school to comply with these requirements is a misdemeanor.