FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — The 7News I-Team continues sounding the alarm over fire safety lapses in DMV schools.
Last week, Investigative Reporter Mitch Blacher found that DC Public Schools are failing to do enough fire drills to meet the fire code -- now 7News is digging into Virginia schools.
Despite all Northern Virginia public school districts telling the state they performed required fire evacuation drills, only two Virginia public schools provided records proving it.
Arlington Public Schools and Fairfax County Public Schools provided documentation showing the dates fire drills took place since 2019.
“In the heat of the moment you want to make sure you’re recalling exactly what you need to do,” Arlington Public Schools’ safety and security director Zac Pope said.
RELATED | Sounding the Alarm: DC Public Schools fail to perform required fire drills
Arlington’s school fire safety records show since 2019 all district schools documented more than the four annual fire drills the state requires to maintain accreditation. Fairfax County Public Schools also provided records showing drills performed more than meet the state requirements.
The Virginia Department of Education relies on local school boards and their appointed superintendents to certify all fire safety drills are regularly performed.
The state does not require any proof.
“They’re not turning in documentation,” Charles Pyle with the Virginia Department of Education said.
7News asked Loudoun County Public Schools, Alexandria Schools, City of Fairfax Public Schools and Fall Church Public Schools for safety drill records backing up their state certifications. None of these districts provided records citing exemptions in Virginia public record law.
“When we have information that would call into question reporting, we certainly follow up on that, but this is a system of self-certification,” Pyle said.
The Virginia Department of Education has no plans to start auditing school safety certification unless forced to by the state legislature.
Click here to read more about DCPS' fire safety failures.