Palos West to Conduct Evacuation Drill Thursday

PALOS PARK, IL — Student safety is always Palos School District 118’s first priority. While it is hoped a crisis implementation plan is never needed, the district recognizes that preparedness is the best defense. Each year fire, tornado, and lockdown drills are practiced so that students and staff know what to do in the event of an emergency. On a rotating basis an evacuation drill is also practiced. This year the school’s evacuation drill is taking place tomorrow Thursday, September 20 at 1:30 p.m. at Palos West.

Students and staff will evacuate the building and walk to Peace Memorial, Palos West’s designated safe haven. Peace Memorial is located at 10300 West 131st, just south of Palos West. Upon entering, students and staff will be directed to an area in the facility where they will remain seated while attendance and all procedures are checked. The local police will assist and share in the procedures of this evacuation drill. To ensure a safe walk to Peace Memorial, 104th Ave. will be blocked off by the Cook County sheriff department.

A handful of families have volunteered to help West practice reunification of students in the event we would not be able to return to Palos West. The volunteer families will be picking up their children from Peace Memorial to allow us to practice reunification procedures with staff. All other students will walk back to school and follow their normal dismissal routine.

Image via Palos School District 118