Fake Firedrill

We just had a fire drill this morning at work. We did not get the forewarning, so I was a bit surprised. So was every one else. But in any case - the noise and the lights meant leave the building NOW.

In preparation to leave the building, people grabbed their belongings, stopped by the bathroom, grabbed and filled their coffee cups, hesitated to get off the phone calls . . . and slowly and causally walked towards the exists, while some comments about the loud sirens. And doing so - every one is just so polite, holding the door open for one another - "After you", "No, After you!", "Please, after you, I insist!"

Leaving the building, I saw half my team head in one direction of the parking lot, and the other half in the other direction - no idea where the manager went. Where are we supposed to go anyway? Who's taking the head count?

Obviously this was an ineffective drill. I have a few recommendations for the next one. Again, do an unannounced drill, and send the smell of burning smoke through the vents. Might as well add some dry ice to the mix as well. Then hire a couple of actors to scream "FIRE!!!" and start running all over the place. Then we'll see how fast people get their butts outs the building!