Safety Drill planned for Candler County Schools
The Candler County School District (CCSD) remains committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for every student and staff member. Through strong partnerships with local law enforcement and emergency response agencies, the district conducts ongoing training and safety drills designed to prepare schools for a variety of emergency situations.
Throughout the school year, CCSD administrators work closely with the Candler County Sheriff’s Office, School Resource Officers, Metter Fire Department, and Candler County Emergency Management Agency to plan, conduct, and evaluate critical safety exercises. These include monthly fire drills, seasonal severe weather drills, and intruder drills.
In compliance with Georgia House Bill 147, CCSD will conduct an intruder drill prior to October 1. State law requires schools to conduct at least one intruder alert drill each school year, with schools having the option to conduct additional drills as part of their ongoing safety preparations.
“Preparing for an emergency is something we take very seriously,” said CCSD Superintendent Dr. John Jordan. “We hope we never have to put these procedures into action during a real emergency, but preparation, practice, and strong partnerships with our emergency personnel help ensure that our students and staff know what to do if that day ever comes.”
Fire and severe weather drills are conducted with assistance from the Metter Fire Department, Candler County Emergency Management Agency, and School Resource Officers, while the Candler County Sheriff’s Office oversees the district’s intruder drill. Deputies have also provided training to CCSD employees on best practices and procedures to help protect themselves and their students during emergency situations.
Candler County Sheriff John Miles emphasized that the presence of multiple law enforcement officers on campus during an intruder drill should not be a cause for concern.
“We want our community to know this is a drill and there is no cause for alarm,” Miles said. “Deputies will be on campus to conduct the drill and evaluate procedures so that we are ready should a real emergency ever occur.”
In the event of an actual emergency, CCSD administrators will work in close coordination with local and state emergency personnel, including the Candler County Sheriff’s Office and Candler County Emergency Management Agency. The district will provide parents and the community with verified information as quickly as circumstances allow.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to stay connected through the Candler County Schools mobile app, which also provides notifications during emergencies; the district and school websites; official school social media pages; and the district’s automated phone call and text messaging system.
“Communication is an important part of our emergency response plan,” Jordan said. “During an emergency, our first priority will always be the safety of our students and staff. We also understand how important timely and accurate information is to our families. We encourage parents to rely on official district communications and allow our schools and first responders to focus on keeping everyone safe.”
CCSD extends its sincere appreciation to the Candler County Sheriff’s Office, Metter Fire Department, Candler County Emergency Management Agency, School Resource Officers, and all local emergency personnel for their continued partnership and dedication to protecting Candler County’s students, employees, schools, and community.