Over 700 pupils take part in air raid drill at Riga school
More than 700 students participated in an air raid alarm drill at Riga Secondary School No. 64 on Thursday. The State Fire and Rescue Service says such exercises help reduce children's anxiety in case of a real alert.
On Thursday, September 24, Riga Secondary School No. 64 held a large-scale air raid alarm drill involving more than 700 pupils. During the exercise, children practiced seeking shelter within the school building, taking cover under desks and in corridors as they learned to quickly and calmly find the safest locations.
Goal: reducing children's anxiety
The State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) states that such practical exercises are important because they help students prepare for how to act if an air raid alarm were to sound in a real situation. By becoming familiar with the correct response beforehand, in a controlled setting, children find it easier to stay calm and orient themselves quickly should a genuine alarm occur.
The drill involved a large share of the school's student body, with the exercise practically reinforcing knowledge of where the safest shelter spots are located within the school building. The high number of participating pupils indicates the drill was planned as a comprehensive exercise covering most of the institution's students.
