Participation of Children and Adolescents in Live Crisis Drills and Exercises

Abstract

Children and adolescents should be included in exercises and drills to the extent that their involvement advances readiness to meet their unique needs in the event of a crisis and/or furthers their own preparedness or resiliency. However, there is also a need to be cautious about the potential psychological risks and other unintended consequences of directly involving children in live exercises and drills. These risks and consequences are especially a concern when children are deceived and led to believe there is an actual attack and not a drill and/or for high-intensity active shooter drills. High-intensity active shooter drills may involve the use of real weapons, gunfire or blanks, theatrical makeup to give a realistic image of blood or gunshot wounds, predatory and aggressive acting by the individual posing to be the shooter, or other means to simulate an actual attack, even when participants are aware that it is a drill. This policy statement outlines some of the considerations regarding the prevalent practice of live active shooter drills in schools, including the recommendations to eliminate children' s involvement in high-intensity drills and exercises (with the possible exception of adolescent volunteers), prohibit deception in drills and exercises, and ensure appropriate accommodations during drills and exercises based on children' s unique vulnerabilities. BACKGROUND Historically, children of all ages have generally not been included in crisis preparedness efforts in the United States, including participation in live drills and exercises, and certainly not to the extent that children are represented in the general population. This lack of planning and practice for the needs of children represents a significant oversight that increases the vulnerability of children in the event of a crisis. 1 However, increasing concerns about the risk of mass casualty events in schools throughout the United States have given rise to crisis preparedness efforts that now include

Effects of Lockdown Drills on Students’ Fear, Perceived Risk, and Use of Avoidance Behaviors: A Quasi-Experimental Study

“…Administrators and policymakers should follow best practice guidance (e.g., NASP, 2018, 2021) to mitigate negative reactions to emergency preparedness drills. Drills should be planned carefully by a multidisciplinary team to include the input of various stakeholders, including school psychologists, to help to anticipate potential needs of participants and ensure that the resources already are in place for the drill if negative reactions arise (Brock et al, 2016; Schonfeld et al, 2020). Schools also should be clear about the learning objectives for the participants and provide training that is developmentally appropriate and considers the needs of students and staff with disabilities in lockdowns and other response protocols (Columbia et al, 2019; Schonfeld et al, 2020; U.S.…”

“…Department of Homeland Security, 2020). Drills must be announced as a practice to minimize fear by reminding students that they are not responding to a real-world threat (NASP, 2018(NASP, , 2021Schonfeld et al, 2020). Furthermore, holding debrief periods at the end of the drill allows not only for reflection and discussion among participants, but also for questions to be answered pertaining to what was just experienced (National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2018).…”

Paediatric patients in mass casualty incidents: a comprehensive review and call to action

“…Mass casualty incidents (MCIs) disproportionately affect children. 1 In the USA, research has been conducted and guidance provided on the topic by the American Academy of Pediatrics 2,3 and the American College of Emergency Physicians. 4 Research is often focused on paediatric readiness in emergency departments 5 (EDs) and emergency medical services (EMS).…”

Mass Shooting Drills Are Not the Best Shield for Our Hospitals or Our Children

“…Work done by Dr. David Schoenfeld of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement suggests that participating in realistic exercises with simulated gunfire and injuries can have acute and long-term mental health consequences. 1 Children compelled to participate in these activities have experienced intrusive thoughts, nightmares, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Advocates for hyperrealistic mass shooting exercises may argue that some mental illness is a small price for the safety of having the school, its personnel, and students better prepared for an active shooter.…”

“…Work done by Dr. David Schoenfeld of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement suggests that participating in realistic exercises with simulated gunfire and injuries can have acute and long-term mental health consequences 1 . Children compelled to participate in these activities have experienced intrusive thoughts, nightmares, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder.…”