> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.verkada.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.verkada.com/incident-response/getting-started/run-drills-with-incident-response.md).

# Run Drills with Incident Response

Running a practice drill in Verkada Incident Response prepares staff to respond quickly and confidently during an emergency. Administrators can launch drills in Command, simulate real-world response scenarios, review post-exercise analytics, and manage reunification workflows that align with the *I Love U Guys* Foundation's [SRM-REx](https://iloveuguys.org/Reunification-Exercise.html) framework.

{% hint style="success" %}
Before you can run a drill Response, a site must have a [Response Template configured](/incident-response/configuration/create-response-templates.md) and [Workplace Employees assigned](/incident-response/getting-started/get-started-with-incident-response.md#workplace-employees).
{% endhint %}

***

## Start a drill

{% hint style="danger" %}
You must have the **Workplace Site Admin** role or[ explicit permission to **start a Response** ](https://help.verkada.com/command/users-and-permissions/roles-and-permissions-for-command/custom-roles#workplace)to start a drill from Command.
{% endhint %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Workplace > Response.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**On the Incident Response Home, click Run a practice drill.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Select an option for student data and click Next.**

For sites with at least one Response Template that has Reunification enabled, Admins can choose to run a drill using either real school data or sample student data aligned with the *I Love U Guys* [SRM-REx exercise](https://iloveuguys.org/Reunification-Exercise.html). 

<div align="left" data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/0MQXsdM4rHG0XELo1UWr" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

You can find more information on practicing reunification with *I Love U Guys* sample data [here](https://help.verkada.com/incident-response/~/revisions/7I3tEQ8Z5Fam4stqRJc6/getting-started/running-drills-with-incident-response/best-practices-for-running-reunification-exercises).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Select a Response Template.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Choose an option for employee notifications.**

<div align="left" data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/gXfGdSaW1gJqk2DSY8rf" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Click Run drill.**

If employee notifications were enabled for the drill, all employees will receive notifications with magic links to the [Incident Response portal](/incident-response/getting-started/incident-response-portal.md).

<div align="left" data-with-frame="true"><img src="/files/e4KLkzlndOLTuK2ViHbE" alt="" width="188"></div>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

***

## End a drill

{% hint style="danger" %}
You must have the **Workplace Site Admin** role or [explicit permission](/command/users-and-permissions/roles-and-permissions-for-command/custom-roles.md#workplace) to **end a Response** to end a drill from Command.
{% endhint %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Workplace > Incident Response.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**On the Incident Response Home, click Active Response.**

<div align="left" data-with-frame="true"><img src="/files/wUaQFxRc9Wow8ghjoh3Q" alt="" width="375"></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**In the top right, click End.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**In the confirmation menu, select End Incident.**
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Like an actual Response, ending a drill Response locks further changes on the Incident Response portal.

***

## FAQ

<details>

<summary>Will Incident Response notify staff during a drill?</summary>

Admins can choose to notify staff before launching a drill. When enabled, Incident Response sends login links by email and SMS to staff members with configured phone numbers.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Will Incident Response notify guardian contacts of updates to students during a drill?</summary>

No, Incident Response will only share student updates to guardian contacts during an actual Response.

</details>


---

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