Which of the following is NOT considered a best practice during emergency drills in homeless shelters?

Shelter occupants' safety and preparedness during emergencies are of utmost importance. Conducting emergency drills is vital for ensuring that everyone knows how to respond effectively in the event of a real emergency. Among the choices, the practice of “sheltering in place” during drills is not aligned with best practices in this context.

Evacuating all occupants to outside the building is essential to simulate a real evacuation scenario. It provides individuals an opportunity to practice executing the entire evacuation process, including moving to safe zones and ensuring everyone gets out safely. Conducting drills frequently allows familiarization with procedures and keeps fire safety protocols prominent in everyone's mind. Ensuring that everyone knows the exit routes is crucial for a successful evacuation, as it eliminates confusion and speeds up the process.

In contrast, having all occupants shelter in place during drills can undermine the purpose of these exercises. The goal of an emergency drill is to prepare occupants for a range of scenarios, including the need to evacuate in case of a fire or other emergency where remaining indoors would pose a risk. Limiting drills to just sheltering in place does not adequately prepare individuals for situations where evacuation is necessary and can lead to dangerous misunderstandings during a real emergency.