Fire drill reminds community that small steps can make a big difference
By Jessi Cadorna
Emergency Management Planner
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM), working together with the Facilities and Maintenance Department, held fire evacuation drills throughout the month of May. These drills gave staff and community members a chance to practice what to do during an emergency while also serving as a reminder that simple preparedness steps can make a real difference.
The drills took place during normal operations at Tribal facilities and simulated a real emergency situation. When alarms sounded, participants practiced using evacuation routes and gathering at designated outdoor meeting areas. The focus was not on being perfect, but on becoming familiar with the process so people can react more calmly and confidently during a real emergency.
“These drills help build awareness and comfort,” said OEM Manager Cherrie May. “When people know what to expect, they are more likely to respond quickly and safely.”
Even a short drill reinforces important habits like recognizing alarms immediately, safely exiting a building, and checking on others once outside. These may seem like small actions, but during an emergency, they can save lives.
Preparedness Starts at Home
Along with practicing at Tribal facilities, OEM encourages community members to take a few simple preparedness steps at home.
One of the most important is checking smoke alarms regularly. Working smoke alarms provide an early warning and give families valuable time to get out safely. Testing alarms and replacing batteries only takes a few minutes but can make a major difference during a fire.
It’s also helpful to create a simple evacuation plan for your household. Know the exits in your home, identify more than one way out if possible, and choose a meeting place outside. Talking through the plan with family members ahead of time can help reduce confusion and stress during an emergency.
Another easy preparedness step is putting together a small “go bag.” It doesn’t need to be complicated — just basic items like medications, a phone charger, flashlight, important documents, and other essentials. Having these items ready in one place can save valuable time if you ever need to leave quickly.
