Best Practice Considerations for Armed Assailant Drills in Schools

This guide provides best practice considerations for conducting armed assailant drills in schools, focusing on both physical and psychological safety. It outlines the evolution of training approaches, emphasizing the importance of nonsensorial lockdown drills as a foundation for options-based training, which empowers participants to make decisions in crisis situations. The document highlights the need for drills to be developmentally appropriate and tailored to the specific context of each school environment. It stresses the involvement of mental health professionals at all stages of drill preparation and execution, ensuring that trauma reactions are monitored and support is available. The guide also recommends creating a multidisciplinary school safety team and conducting thorough needs assessments to inform drill planning. Furthermore, it addresses the necessity of obtaining parental consent for student participation and ensuring that drills do not include harmful simulation techniques. The document aims to help schools maximize effectiveness while minimizing risks associated with armed assailant training.