Nebraska school drill law

What drills does Nebraska require, and how often?

State law makes it the State Fire Marshal's duty to require teachers of public and private schools to conduct regular fire drills, under the rules the Fire Marshal adopts. The Nebraska Department of Education puts it this way: under § 81-527 and the Nebraska Fire Safety Code, all schools are required to conduct regular fire drills.

The tornado drill provision sets a tornado drill standard only; it names no earthquake drill.

What about lockdown and other response drills?

The Department of Education's school safety guide (revised August 2025) says the Standard Response Protocol (Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, Shelter) is not a required policy or plan; it recommends including it in the school's emergency operations plan. As a best practice, the same guide recommends discussing the protocol's actions with students and staff, and says this means discussions, not active shooter drills. This is guidance, not a rule.

What does the fire code say about fire drills?

Under the Nebraska Fire Safety Code, as quoted by the State Fire Marshal, at least one emergency egress and relocation drill (a fire drill) must be held every month the school is in session. One additional fire drill is required within the first 30 days of operation, except at schools open year-round. Where the weather is severe, monthly fire drills may be put off, but only once at least four have been held and the required total is still met. All occupants of the building must take part in each fire drill, and drill alarms must sound on the fire alarm system. The State Fire Marshal's form says tornado or disaster drills do not substitute for fire drills. The Department of Education says any fire training-and-practice program must be approved in writing by the local fire department and/or the State Fire Marshal's Office before it is put into practice. On top of any required monthly fire drill, every public, private, denominational and parochial school must give regular lessons on fire dangers and fire prevention.

What about tornado and bus drills?

State law directs the state school security director, whose role covers safety and security for the public schools, to set tornado preparedness standards that ensure every school holds at least two tornado drills a year. At least twice each school year, each student who rides a school bus must get safe-riding instruction and take part in emergency evacuation drills. The bus drill duty also covers the governing authority of private, denominational and parochial schools. Among the state school security director's listed duties, the one that names private, denominational and parochial schools is responding to their inquiries and requests for school security help. The tornado drill section sits in Chapter 79 of state law, which defines a school board as the governing body of a school district.

Do parents get notice, and are realistic drills limited?

The fire drill statute, § 81-527, sets no parent notice, law enforcement role, opt-out or limit on realistic drills. It requires regular fire drills under the State Fire Marshal's rules and unlocked exits during school hours. The tornado drill provision, § 79-2,144(8), likewise sets no parent notice, law enforcement role, opt-out or limit on realistic drills. It requires tornado preparedness standards that include at least two tornado drills a year.

Do drills have to be logged?

The State Fire Marshal's form says at least two years of completed fire drill records must be kept on site for review by the Fire Marshal's deputies. The form itself is to be kept on file at the school during school months, with each drill marked on it.

What do the accreditation rules add?

Under Rule 10, the state's accreditation rule, each school system has a safety and security plan approved by its governing body. A safety and security committee meets at least once a year to prepare or review the safety and emergency plans.

What has changed recently?

LB670 (2025), as introduced, listed vehicle safety and emergency evacuation drills and instruction among its school safety provisions. It was indefinitely postponed on April 17, 2026, so it did not become law. LB685, which would have amended § 79-2,144 (the tornado drill section), was also indefinitely postponed on April 17, 2026, so it did not become law. LB517 (2025) would have amended § 79-2,144 too; it was indefinitely postponed on April 17, 2026, so it never took effect. None of the drill sections changed in 2025 or 2026: § 79-2,144 was last amended in 2023, § 81-527 in 1988 and § 79-609 (bus drills) in 1996.