In order to help ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff, an intruder drill will take place Feb. 21.

According to Chief Officer of Student Services Dr. Tom Greer, all schools, including this one, must prepare for events as wide ranging as tornados, fires and an on-campus intruder.

In the case of an intruder, Greer said that it is is important to know what to do and where to go. In the event of such an incident, teachers must be in a position to decide how best to protect their students. Based on conditions, Greer said, “Every teacher is empowered to decide what to do. They can choose to run, fight or hide.”

Greer said that students should take the intruder drill seriously. He said that if an intruder were inside the school, the practice helps. “The more (students) practice the more prepared (students will be for an actual intruder),” Greer said.

Greer said in the event that a student is not in one of the three buildings while an intruder is on campus, that the student can decide his or her course of action.

Greer said, “(Students) are empowered to do what (they) think is best.”