At 9:30 AM, the fire alarm sounded at the Central School in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Students, accompanied by their teachers, immediately left their classrooms to gather at their designated assembly points in the courtyard. Adults conducted headcounts to ensure everyone was accounted for.
In less than three minutes, the entire school was evacuated. The objective of this drill went beyond mere timing, aiming to observe everyone's reactions, the clear understanding of instructions, and the proper functioning of safety equipment.
Details such as closing a fire escape door behind oneself or reiterating a specific instruction were highlighted as crucial in a real situation. After the evacuation, David, head of the City's building electricity department, and the school principal discussed the drill's progress, identifying strengths and areas for improvement for future simulations.
In Saint-Jean-de-Luz, nursery and elementary schools conduct three fire alarm drills annually. The first is announced to familiarize everyone with the procedure, while subsequent drills test reflexes under less predictable conditions. These regular exercises help maintain good reflexes and integrate newcomers.
Once the alarm stopped, students returned to their classrooms, resuming their morning as usual, as if nothing had happened. The drill concluded, awaiting the next alarm, which might occur without warning.
