In the event of the recent fire alarm, Pace security has explained the protocol for a fire.
Classes were interrupted on Thurs. Oct. 10 in Lienhard and Miller Halls, with a fire alarm causing the evacuation of both buildings. Students stood very close to the buildings themselves as the rooms and halls were swept for the cause of the alarm. Following the full sweep and assurance that all was clear, students resumed their classes for the remainder of the day.

Many have questioned the cause of an alarm in the middle of the day, during class, and according to security they have at least one fire drill in the classroom buildings per semester and three fire drills per residence hall. They are precautionary measures to make sure that everything is working within the building and that the security teams know what to do.

“Fire alarms are all treated as a 24-hour dispatch and the alarm is sent directly to the fire department and to security,” Executive Director of Safety and Security Vincent Beatty said. “Security waits for the fire department to arrive so they can take further action and determine the severity of the alarm. The building is then swept for any possible cause for the alarm.”

Students and professors are required to exit the buildings during the fire alarm whether it is a drill or a real fire, because it is never clear to one hearing the alarm which one it is. All persons that have evacuated the building during the alarm should be standing at least 50 feet from the building and clear of major parking lots and roads that the fire trucks would need to use as a fire lane.

Although professors have not had training regarding the protocol of a fire alarm, the security staff is there to aid in the process of the alarm. In the event of a fire, security will direct students and professors out of the direct way and possible way of the fire.

“I will personally make sure that there are announcements that emphasize the importance to evacuate and stay at least 50 feet from the building in the next fire alarm,” Beatty said. “I want the drills and alarms to be effective for the people involved and that way they would know where they need to be in the case of a real fire.”