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SAMUEL FISHER
Staff Writer
As students sat huddled in corners of dark classrooms, police, fire and emergency services officials took notes.  
It was the first of two lockdown drills for Niagara College held at both campuses last week.

The lockdown protocol began at the Welland campus on Tuesday April 2, at 10 a.m.  The drill was announced on the public address system, digital signs and the Niagara College alert system.

By 10:03 a.m. the halls were clear. That was due to the prior knowledge of the drill and the help of about 40 volunteer observers. The volunteers recorded their observations and were involved in a de-briefing session afterwards to discuss the findings.
“We notifed everyone prior to the drill to have participation without the panic,” Charles Turpin, a fire prevention officer for the City of Welland said. “This drill was a successful starting point.”
During the de-briefing, a few minor flaws were observed and pointed out. The announcement of the lockdown should be on a continuous cycle. There should be an exterior PA system and a more effective PA system in residence. The digital signs should flash to draw more attention to them. Niagara Transit needs to be notified, and some classrooms have no locking mechanisms and doors that open into the hallways.
“This was more of an education and information practice in a setting when the college is running a normal semester cycle to engage the entire campus,” said Emergency Preparation Co-ordinator Gary Dagenais.
Jarod Gartner, a student in the Fitness and Health Promotions Program, was caught in the lockdown. “The instructor acted great,” Gartner says. “She told us all to keep quiet and away from the doors. It was handled very well.”
The Manager of Security and Parking Services, David Jastrubecki said “This was a successful drill, everyone co-operated and we received some very good observations and suggestions from the volunteers.” The process is under continuous review, he added.