Last updated on Jul 11, 2024

Your team is hesitant about emergency drills. How can you convince them of its importance?

It's not uncommon for teams to view emergency drills as a nuisance rather than a necessity. To change this mindset, you must first understand the reasons behind the reluctance. Is it due to a lack of awareness of the risks, or perhaps a feeling that drills are unproductive and interrupt the workday? By identifying the specific concerns, you can tailor your approach to address these issues directly. Remember, empathy is key; acknowledging their feelings and providing clear, factual information about the potential consequences of being unprepared can help shift their perspective towards recognizing the value of emergency drills.

1 Drill Benefits

Emergency drills are more than just a regulatory checkbox; they're crucial for safety and preparedness. By conducting regular drills, your team becomes familiar with evacuation routes, learns to identify potential hazards, and practices responding to various scenarios. This rehearsal can significantly reduce panic and confusion in a real emergency, potentially saving lives. Emphasize that drills are a form of investment in their personal safety and that of their colleagues, which can foster a sense of responsibility and care within the team.

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Ronald G. Miller, Jr. CSHO (Dual), CCHM

Safety, Environmental, Risk and Operations Executive | National Safety Manager - Bowman Consulting
People care most about the things that matter most to them. Defining how emergency planning and drills protect them and their ability to see and provide for their family is a game changer. Considering the second tier of Maslow's hierarchy and the needs for safety and security (security of body, of employment, of resources, of morality of family, and of health) it is important to emphasize how preparation affects those key parts of their life.
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Mark Parra

Experienced Business Continuity Analyst | Skilled in Incident Response & Compliance | Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt | NIMS Certified
Why do we practice anything? It’s simple: to get better at it. When conveying the importance of regular practice for emergency drills, highlight the consequences of not practicing. Use data from prior incidents to show the detriment of having untrained personnel. Identify the failures that occurred due to staff being unfamiliar with the process. Look to others in your field and reference their incidents. Explain to stakeholders that incidents will happen—it’s only a matter of time. Building a culture of resilience and moving away from reactivity is what makes an organization sturdy in the face of disasters.
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Andrew Beveridge

Emergency Planning Manager (Nuclear)
Just watch video of Firefighters arriving at a house fire. Then you will see just what drills can do in terms of professional performance. I was a Firefighter for thirty two years and as an officer I very rarely had to give instructions to my Crews. They just all knew what to do and more importantly knew what not to do. Drills every shift can become monotonous, ask any Firey, but they will all tell you the benefits of a well drilled well incentivised Team of people. In my current management role, I work pretty much in solace, and I truly miss the well organised and well trained people, a team which I was a part of.
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2 Skill Development

Emergency drills offer a unique opportunity to develop skills that are not just applicable in crisis situations but also valuable in everyday work life. Effective communication, leadership, decision-making under pressure, and teamwork are honed during these simulations. Highlighting the transferable nature of these skills can help your team see drills as a form of professional development, encouraging participation and engagement.

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3 Real-World Examples

To convey the importance of emergency drills, share real-world examples where such preparedness has made a difference. Without resorting to fear tactics, explain how organizations have successfully managed emergencies due to regular drilling and how, conversely, the lack of preparedness has had dire consequences. These stories can serve as powerful motivators by illustrating the tangible impact of being prepared.

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Matthew Woodall

Emergency Manager, Writer, Event Specialist, Planning and Preparedness Professional
One of the stories that always makes an impact is that of Rick Rescorla, whose commitment to using true-to-life drills saved thousands of people's lives on 9/11. As the chief of Morgan Stanley's security team, his dedication to making sure people knew exactly where to go meant that the people in his care knew where the stairwells were and how to get all the way to the ground floor, not just the closest lobby. Because of this, more people from his organization survived and were able to guide others out of the building. The story is widely available online and is discussed in Amanda Ripley's fantastic book The Unthinkable.
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4 Incentivizing Participation

One effective way to encourage your team to participate in emergency drills is to introduce incentives. Recognizing individuals or departments that perform well during drills can create a positive association with the activity. Whether it's through public acknowledgment, small rewards, or incorporating drill performance into professional development plans, incentives can help shift the perception of drills from an obligation to an opportunity.

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5 Continuous Improvement

Lastly, emphasize the concept of continuous improvement. Emergency management is not a static field; it requires regular updates and refinements to plans and procedures. By participating in drills, your team contributes to this process, providing valuable feedback that can improve safety measures. Encourage them to view drills as a chance to actively shape their own safety protocols, giving them a sense of ownership and control over their work environment.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Your team is hesitant about emergency drills. How can you convince them of its importance?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Drill Benefits

2 Skill Development

3 Real-World Examples

4 Incentivizing Participation

5 Continuous Improvement

6 Here’s what else to consider

Emergency Management

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Your team is hesitant about emergency drills. How can you convince them of its importance?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Drill Benefits

2 Skill Development

3 Real-World Examples

4 Incentivizing Participation

5 Continuous Improvement

6 Here’s what else to consider

Emergency Management

Rate this article

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