Sunday, February 15, 2009
2:11 a.m.
Students in NWMSU's Perrin Hall were evacuated to the sound of "An emergency has been reported. Please exit." over a loudspeaker located in every room.
As I put on my coat and shoes, taking my time (My room is located right next to an outside door) while strobe lights flashed around me I wondered:
a) What is going on!? It's late and I just want to sleep!
b) This better not be a drill. It's not convenient at all!
c) At least if there is a fire, we wont have to be cold while we wait outside.
d) Maybe it's a false alarm, and I'll get to see someone arrested!
(I'm an optimist)
Turns out, someone had taken a fire extinguisher in his room and used it. No one knows why, but he did. It also turns out that the fog from a fire extinguisher sets off a fire alarm. Ironic, isn't it?
One of the even more puzzling things was that Hudson, the building connected to ours was completely quiet, save for some late-night studiers in the upstairs lounge, who curiously watched as we huddled outside for 15 minutes while campus safety officers swarmed around diligently. Not a light or siren or anything woke good ol' Hudson up. Apparently they thought they were too good to burn to the ground with the rest of us...
Let's review:
1. During a drill, Campus Safety arrives within 5 minutes and shuts off the alarm. When campus safety arrives 10 seconds after you've been outside, something's up! (Impressive, officers!)
2. Anti-Fire Chemical will set off a fire alarm.
3. Wear shoes, for crying out loud!
4. During a fire, proceed to the nearest exit...or Hudson, if it's cold outside.
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