FRANKLYWNOW - For students, practice makes perfect in a real emergency

Students at Kincaid Elementary School evacuated to their alternate site today. It was just practice, but school leaders say if they have to do it for real, the hope is practice makes perfect.

More than 500 students and 55 staff members walked from the school and across Raspberry Road to a former National Guard base, across from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. The Anchorage Police Department and airport police helped block traffic.

Principal Shannon Gallagher says when the emergency siren goes off, students look to their teachers. She says the whole point of practicing is so kids know what to do and aren’t frightened in the event the emergency alarm sounds for real.

It’s peace of mind for the students and their parents.

“You want to know that when you bring your kids to school, you’re giving them to people that love them — We do. That are going to take care of them — We do,” Gallagher said. “You’re entrusting me with your child and I carry that responsibility very heavily.”

She said Tuesday’s drill went very well.

This evacuation plan might be used if there was a gas leak, similar to what happened at Rabbit Creek Elementary last week, or if the school was structurally damaged and unsafe.

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