We all here might have been through there. We have received the training. But when the emergency occurs, we all sit there like cows until someone with authority screams we have to move.
That is a big mistake. And I'm pretty sure people will probably start up with the “survival of the fittest” talk. But here's the point: people are given mixed signals.
When Emergency Simulacrums are done, they're often expecting everybody to have read the email indicating there was going to be a simulacrum. Including management. At least, in Perfect World.
The truth is that people doesn't only worry about perishing in an emergency. People are also trained about worrying for “being under review”, receiving a “call out”, or outright getting “fired”. If people listen to the emergency alarm, they don't know whether it's a simulacrum. Or if it is an error. Or the real thing. Because they're worried about dropping calls, or abandoning their job. Which is an automatic termination for many companies. So, many would probably try to confirm whether it's a simulacrum. Or to go look around for an adult.
Simulacrums should be straight forward: teach people what the alarm sounds like. Without the theater of having to follow instructions to begin the simulacrum, then follow a manager's order to follow the evacuation rules. That shit is mental. Because all of it occurs with a deafening alarm, giving away completely mixed ideas to the brain. People surely needs to learn how to act, and how to react. But apart from having the alarm on. They should be allowed to think what to do when the alarm sounds. So, the alarm noise should be taught without the actual alarm. Radio, video, a recording. Whatever. Standarize the sound. But train people in silence. Let them focus on what to do when the alarm is at its highest.
Or better yet, train them to tell between the real thing, and the “test” one. The training recording can be offered at lower volume. Just to teach them what is it like. Then, whenever it goes louder than that, yeah, remember your training. Go to the nearest exit. Tell Karen your life is more important than her attempt to leech up stuff by complaining.
Don't wait for confirmation. The tests are wrong. You should be able to be calm about running away during an emergency. Not to worry about getting fired because nobody checks whether these simulacrums even works.