By JESSICA ANDERSON
The news from this past week only reinforces our knowledge that things happen - anytime, anywhere. Our communities are well aware of the importance of safety. However, despite this, it’s not uncommon to encounter complacency or a lack of action when it comes to actually implementing security measures and following best practices. This is where the importance of emergency drills and having a plan becomes crucial. And I challenge you with this – When was the last time your community or your family conducted (or even discussed) a drill or what you would do in an emergency?
Emergency drills are more than just a routine task; they are a tool for breaking through complacency and ensuring that individuals are not only aware of potential dangers but are also prepared to respond effectively. Regular emergency drills can provide the motivation, practice, and framework needed to ensure that safety protocols are followed when it matters most. Unfortunately, in our day and age, they may also provide a degree of legal protection when an organization can demonstrate it shared these protocols with community members.
Turn Awareness into Action
It’s easy to acknowledge the importance of security and safety in principle, but when a crisis arises, people often fail to act because they haven’t internalized the necessary procedures. Some community members may think, “The chances of anything happening are so low,” or “I’ll just follow what everyone else is doing,” but when an actual emergency occurs, responses can lead to confusion and delays. In emergencies, humans naturally look to each other to figure out what to do, and if no one knows what to do or nobody has a plan, this uses up valuable time. This is why Secure Community Network (SCN) has such a focus on training. We know training builds the skills that help you react efficiently – in ANY kind of big or small emergency. 
Emergency drills help bridge the gap between awareness and action. Drills offer a structured and repetitive opportunity to practice responses – ideally, with enough frequency that they become instinctual. The more frequently people rehearse security protocols the more likely they are to follow protocols in a real situation. Even running small, informal tabletop discussions can help.
Cultivate the Muscle Memory of Safety
In high-stress situations, panic can set in, and individuals might be paralyzed by fear or indecision. It’s hard to know how emergencies get processed in the brain and everyone reacts differently. By increasing familiarity with a process, we increase the chance that someone will step in and lead during a situation. It’s precisely in these moments that instinctual reactions and well-rehearsed behaviors can make the difference. By participating in drills, even ones executed methodically and slowly, we can build up our skills. I’m confident that nobody who has experienced an emergency and previously had training ever said that the training didn’t help.
Overcome Complacency and Build a Culture of Safety
Even in our communities, complacency can arise—particularly in places where there hasn’t been a direct threat for some time – and we’ve been relatively lucky here in the PNW for a long time. This is a natural human tendency that we need to be aware of and actively push back upon. This is not about creating a culture of fear but rather developing matter of fact, routine approaches to the realities of living in this era. 
Regular drills or even the discussion of procedures promote a culture of safety within the community. When people see their leaders and peers taking emergency procedures seriously—whether it’s practicing evacuations or discussing security measures—they are more likely to follow suit. For Jewish community leaders, regular drills provide an opportunity to model the behavior they want to see in others. If leaders demonstrate a commitment to safety by participating actively in drills, it sends a strong message that it’s a shared responsibility and that they care about you. 
Reduce the Risk of Panic
In times of crisis, panic can spread wildly, clouding judgment and preventing people from making clear decisions. This is especially true if people are unsure of what to do or where to go. When individuals are unfamiliar with the procedures and have not practiced responding to an emergency, the likelihood of chaos increases significantly. Emergency drills and safety communication teach people where to gather, where to go, and how to communicate, which significantly reduces the risk of confusion and panic. Drills can also reveal weaknesses in a plan and provide opportunities to improve and adjust processes.
Ensure Community Resilience
Finally, regular emergency drills increase our resiliency as a community. While individual preparedness is important, the effectiveness of any emergency response relies heavily on coordinated action. Drills allow individuals to practice working together as a team -whether it’s evacuating a building or communicating with local authorities, knowing how to work in concert with others is essential for minimizing risk and ensuring the safety of all members. When members come together for drills, they reinforce the idea that everyone’s safety is a shared concern, and that, in times of crisis, cooperation is key to surviving and recovering.
2025
My plan for the Federation offices this year is to complete two drills, and I ask you, your family, and your organization to join me in this. Maybe it’s a physical drill and maybe it’s a tabletop discussion where you map out a response to a situation. It all counts! Unfortunately for us, the coordinated Great Shakeout drill always occurs in October. We may be unable to join because of High Holiday observances, but they offer a template for coordinated and reoccurring action. Let’s build this muscle memory together, this year. Check out https://www.shakeout.org for earthquake drill and planning and reach out to me if you’d like help planning a drill or discussion in your community or family. I can always be reached at janderson@securecommunitynetwork.org or 872-273-9214.