Home / Emergency / Annual Emergency Preparedness Drills

Annual Emergency Preparedness Drills

Plans fade from memory if they are never practiced. A short, regular drill shows what works, what does not and who needs more support.

Why do drills matter?

People under stress act on habit. A plan that has been walked through is far more likely to be followed than one that sits in a binder. Drills also uncover problems, such as a locked gate, a dead phone or a path blocked by equipment.

A drill is practice, not a test of people. Keep the tone calm and supportive, and thank everyone for taking part.

Include people who are often left out, such as seasonal workers, part time help and family members who are not on the farm every day. They are the people who most need practice.

How often should we practice?

Aim for at least one drill each year, and add short refreshers before busy seasons or high risk work. Also practice after changes such as new buildings, new staff or a different layout.

Ask OSHA or your state program whether any requirements apply to your farm, since they vary by size and type of operation.

Choose a time that does not clash with the busiest days, but also practice during busy periods, since real events do not wait for a quiet week.

• Once a year at minimum
• Before harvest or other busy seasons
• After changes in staff, buildings or layout

What scenarios should we choose?

Pick events that match your risks: a fire in a barn, a storm warning, a missing child, an injury in a field, a power outage or a flood. Keep each drill focused on one scenario.

Vary the time of day and who is present. Include situations in which the person in charge is not available.

Plan the drill in writing first: the scenario, who takes part, what you will practice and what you will observe. Share the plan with everyone and tell neighbors so they are not alarmed.

• Fire in a building
• Severe weather warning
• Injury in a remote field
• Missing person or child
• Loss of power or phone

How do we run a drill safely?

Tell everyone it is a drill and keep it safe. Do not simulate hazards such as fire or confined space entry, and do not ask anyone to do something unsafe. Practice calling, gathering, counting and communicating, and use a real or practice phone call to dispatch only if arranged in advance.

Assign someone to watch and take notes, and keep time for key steps such as how long it took to gather and count.

Stop the drill at once if anyone is at risk or a real emergency happens. A drill that is cancelled for safety is a successful drill.

How can responders take part?

Invite your fire department or EMS to watch or join, and ask for feedback. They may offer to practice a response at your farm, or suggest changes to your map, gates and signs.

Many agencies and extension offices run farm safety days and trainings. Ask what is available near you, and arrange joint sessions if possible.

Ask the fire department which part of your plan they would like to see most, and whether they can bring a short talk or a hands-on demonstration, such as extinguisher practice under supervision.

• Invite the fire department or EMS
• Ask for feedback on map and gates
• Join local farm safety days

What should we do after a drill?

Hold a short debrief right away. Ask what went well, what was confusing and what to change. Write down actions, assign people and set dates.

Update the plan, contact list and map, and share the changes with everyone.

Put follow up tasks on a calendar, and check each one off. Report back at the next meeting so people see what changed. Keep the written notes with your plan so that next year's drill can start from what you learned this year.

How do we keep people engaged?

Keep drills short and varied, and recognize good work. Let workers and older children help plan and lead. Share the results with the crew so they see that their feedback leads to change.

A drill each season, even a ten minute one, keeps the plan fresh.

Offer a snack or a meal after the drill, and let everyone hear what worked. Small rewards help people remember and take part again.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.