Practicing a plan they hope they never have to use: Intruder mock drill at RBMS

In this age of so many school shootings, it pays for any school in the nation to be prepared in case they are the next unfortunate location. That is exactly what the students at Robert Blue Middle School did last Wednesday morning as an intruder mock drill was held. 

Students were informed prior to the 9:30 start time that it was only a drill. “The students will know that we’ll make it as real as possible, but also that it’s only for practice,” stated principal Scott Jeske. “We have special needs students who may not handle it well, so we must do this appropriately and make sure they know it’s a drill only.” The Eagle Grove Police Department, Wright County Sheriff’s Department and County Emergency Management Coordinator Jarika Eisentrager were all present in the building for the drill. 

At exactly 9:30, Jeske went on the intercom and announced the start of the drill. The building immediately was put in lockdown, which is a procedure that was recently changed following meetings with responders from the city and county. It precedes a lockout, which means all students will either return to or remain in the building and that all outside doors will be locked with no one allowed to either enter or leave. Otherwise, it’s business as usual inside the school as teachers take attendance and try to go about the normal schedule while also having increased situational awareness. “We keep the entrance doors locked anyway, and visitors need to buzz in to gain entry,” said Jeske.

With the lockdown phase now started, teachers secured their room doors and turned out all the lights. Students were instructed to stay away from interior doors and windows, and to maintain silence while the situation is taking place. Everyone inside each room knows not to open the door for anyone, and they are also to find a hiding place in the room. “We tell them to find a small space where they can hide and not be seen as easily,” said Jeske. “We also want them to have a way to defend themselves if necessary” (more on that later).

Teams of law enforcement personnel then went from room to room checking doors and also looking through interior windows. Jeske followed up with them along the way to see if they found anything wrong like maybe an unlocked door. In just a short time, the drill was over and Jeske again went on the intercom with a code that let everyone know it was all clear and safe to resume the daily schedule.

“Everything went well here today,” said Jeske at the conclusion of the drill. “The idea today was to find things we could fix (in the plan), and now we know.”

Jeremy Hogrefe, Chief Deputy & Jail Administrator for Wright County, also felt the drill went good. “Our ultimate goal is to keep everyone safe,” said Hogrefe. “It’s nice having schools and law enforcement working together in that goal.”

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