COURTESY PHOTO /NIKO ZELINSKI
The Alarming Truth
Emily Holleran
For The Clock
Recently, there have been alarms echoing around campus at the most unexpected times. At first the alarms may have been startling, but after a while the shrill ringing may fade into the background. Although maybe not directly involved, students should still be aware when hearing alarms, in the chance that it is something to be taken seriously.
Since the beginning of the school year, the alarm has been triggered three times in Belknap Hall. The alarms in all buildings can be set off by heat, smoke or by pulling one of the fire alarm pull stations. In the case of Belknap Hall, the alarms were set off due to instances of cooking related smoke and one falsely pulled alarm. Madeline Lamarre, a resident of Belknap, witnessed the alarm go off twice. “The first time it went off was around 1 a.m. and I was actually in the bathroom. It took me off guard. I did not know what was happening. The second time was during the Patriots game at around 9 p.m. That time I was just mad because I wanted to see the Patriots play!”
Similar occurrences had also taken place in other residential halls across campus. “Well, when the alarm went off in my building I was wondering whether it was a drill or not. I also considered grabbing some of my valuables and throwing them in my backpack,” said Geneva Smith resident, Ashley O’Keefe. Despite the rainy weather, students still managed to vacate Geneva Smith, and crowd around outside the Hartman Union Building.
When an alarm goes off (even during the Patriots game) it is necessary for students to evacuate the building as soon as possible. Assistant Director of Residential Life, Ladd Raine, was responsible for providing support to the staff of the building whom experienced the alarms. “Students should proceed out of the building by one of the stairwells and to an evacuation point away from the building as guided by a CA, RD or Firefighter,” said Raine, “If you are not immediately able to leave the building, please make every effort to dress adequately for the weather and evacuate as soon as you are able. Safety is of the utmost importance and evacuation should not be postponed longer than it needs to be.”
Although irritated, students have handled the alarms going off around campus very well and without issue. Some students had even thought ahead, and brought their own blankets outside to stay warm in the chilly September air. No matter how spontaneous these alarms were, the most important thing to remember is to follow fire alarm signage and staff direction to proceed to an evacuation point without issue. RDs and CAs onsite are responsible for notifying 911 of the fire alarm, and aiding in the building evacuation by stationing themselves at exit doors in the building. When an alarm goes off anywhere on campus it is important to stay alert, and stay safe.