🚨 Ever wondered what really happens during a school lockdown? Jo Fessey has some answers! For the past decade, this Liverpool-based trainer has been prepping schoolchildren across the UK for lockdowns, evacuations, and ‘invacuations’ with her programme ‘ICECATS’ – that’s In Case of Emergency, Children, Adults, Teacher Safety.
With over 236,000 kids trained, Jo is on a mission to make schools safer. She explains lockdowns could be triggered by anything from a stray dog entering school grounds to urgent police advisories. During these events, all doors and gates are locked, children move away from windows and doors, and staff ensure everyone’s safety is the priority.
Curious about the types of emergency drills? Jo breaks them down:
1️⃣ **Lockdown**: Everyone stays indoors with secure doors and windows.
2️⃣ **Invacuation**: Getting everyone safely inside if they’re outdoors, say during PE.
3️⃣ **Evacuation**: Moving from one place to another for safety.
With the rise in malicious threats, like recent hoaxes in Merseyside, Jo emphasises the importance of staying calm. She urges parents not to rush to schools, as it might put everyone in danger and disrupt safety protocols. Schools have robust procedures in place to handle these situations with help from the police.
The good news? Schools are getting safer with enhanced security measures, and while hoaxes may rattle nerves, their intent is often just to stir the pot. Jo teaches safety through play, using games to impart life-saving skills.
Local councils and police assure that most recent threats lack credibility, keeping schools running smoothly. Remember, trust the process and let the experts do their job to keep our kids safe! 🛡️👫
📸: LIPA School closed amidst recent threats (Image Credit: Liverpool Echo)
Stay informed and always know how to act during an emergency! 💪📚 #SchoolSafety #LockdownDrills #ICECATS #StayCalmStaySafe