“My school has never experienced a real fire, but we practise drills for it. There are alarms, clear steps, and order. That structure helps us feel safe. But when it comes to floods – which we face again and again – we’re left unprepared. Floods happen at my school so often that they no longer feel like emergencies. We lift our bags, walk to the hall, and wait. There’s no guidance, no explanation – just quiet confusion. It worries me how something so serious has become so normal.
Schools should do more than just move us from one place to another. They should teach us how to respond with awareness, protect one another, and recognise danger even when it looks familiar. Real preparation means more than reacting – it means planning, explaining, and involving students in safety. Because when danger is treated like routine, the risk becomes invisible – and that’s when it’s most harmful.” – Isabel Lim, 14, Johor
“I feel confident about what to do during a fire, but I don’t have much faith in the emergency response plan itself. At my school, we’re told to assemble at the basketball court – right in the middle of campus and surrounded by dry grass. That does little, if anything, to protect us from fire.
Other schools probably do the same, so a new approach is needed. My suggestion: designate an assembly point that’s nearby but not adjacent to the school (which would presumably be on fire), and run simulations on how to evacuate from different parts of the building.” – Lee Ker Zack, 18, Penang
“Every few months, my school conducts a fire drill, so we’re generally prepared for emergencies. All students line up in the hallway and proceed calmly to the roofed multi-sport court (MSC).
The class teacher leads from the front, while prefects help maintain order and prevent panic. Crucially, our MSC is located on the outskirts of the school grounds, next to the field and away from buildings. Since fires are most likely to start in buildings, this keeps us at a safe distance. The court is open with no walls or nets, allowing easy escape to the field if needed.” – Kaveeshan Li, 16, Selangor
“I feel well-prepared for emergencies like fires or floods, thanks to the real-life training I’ve had. Although I’m homeschooled, I’ve taken part in first aid and flood rescue programmes through St. John Ambulance, as well as hands-on training with the Boys’ Brigade.
These weren’t just classroom lessons.
We learnt how to treat serious injuries, respond to car crashes, fires and stabbings, and even practised using automated external defibrillators. What left the biggest impact was the realism – the team put effort into recreating actual emergency situations such as through fake wounds, fractures, screams, and pressure-filled tests. It pushed us to stay calm, think fast and take action. And honestly, it was fun and unforgettable.
This is exactly what schools are missing. Standard drills feel routine and easy to tune out, but real disasters aren’t clean or quiet.
If schools ran more immersive, scenario-based training, students wouldn’t just memorise steps – they’d know how to apply them under stress. Emergency readiness is a life skill. The more real-world experience students get in a safe environment, the more empowered they’ll be when it truly counts.” – Isabel Tang, 14, Selangor
“I don’t feel confident at all when it comes to handling disaster emergencies. Most students see fire drills as a break from lessons rather than a serious safety measure. These drills don’t cover different types of fires, how to respond under various conditions, or what to do if an escape route is blocked.
My school could improve by partnering with the JBPM to educate both students and staff. We also need better infrastructure, like more water hoses, fire alarms and axes, along with proper training on how to use them.
Floods worry me even more, especially since I study in the Puchong area that is prone to flash floods. I have no idea how to move through deep or contaminated water or how to survive in such conditions. With climate change making severe floods more likely, we urgently need more training schemes to prepare students for this reality.” – Thaneish Hanz Puttagunta, 17, Selangor
“I feel confident about my school’s fire evacuation plan. We’ve already had two fire drills this year – though the second one was accidentally triggered by a basketball.
The school, however, hasn’t briefed us on how to handle situations that can’t be practised in a drill, such as navigating through dense smoke or reacting when someone’s clothes catch fire.
Firefighters should be invited to schools to give talks, since they’re experts. Interactive games or videos can be used to provide real-life simulations.” – Leticia Liew, 15, Selangor
“We don’t have regular fire drills at my college; in fact, students are only briefed during orientation.
Flood preparedness is even less clear. As far as I know, we’ve never been told what to do or where to go during a flood, even though floods occur frequently near my college. Many students wouldn’t even know which areas on campus are safe.
To be fair, my college sends safety emails, trains student councils in first aid, and posts emergency contacts on noticeboards. But more can be done. Even holding a drill once a year would help.
Since floods often happen during heavy rain, glow-in-the-dark signs showing exits and safe zones would also be useful.
In tertiary education, people assume students will ‘figure it out’ — but in real emergencies, preparation and trained leadership can save time and lives.” – Hermione Ooi Yung, 21, Selangor
“The only fire drills I’ve experienced were in my old school, and they weren’t taken seriously. Teachers would guide chattering students down the stairwell and into the car park. Drills weren’t held regularly, nor were they realistic. My current school would benefit from collaborating with a nearby fire station to teach proper emergency responses.
When it comes to floods, I feel even more unprepared. My school barely mentions them, and I have no idea what to do if one happens.
Since we’re in Bangi, where flash floods can occur, we need a clear flood safety plan. Collaborating with the JBPM for hands-on training would help students learn how to respond in a flood emergency.” – Vinitha Anne Puttagunta, 15, Selangor
