Within a year of the fire, many of the hazardous conditions such as found in Our Lady of the Angels had been eliminated in thousands of schools around the United States. They were also aware of the hazards that allow a fire to start and grow. It was found in a later study that education on fire also helped to prevent it: people started to learn more about what started fires, and what to do in the case of one starting. The need for fire drills was recognized monthly fire drills were implemented after the Our Lady of the Angels fire. Although the school had passed a fire inspection only two months before, and had the number of fire exits and fire extinguishers required at the time, it lacked smoke detectors or adequate fire alarms, and was overcrowded. Many children jumped out of windows, and many were killed as they could not make their way to an exit. Children on the second floor were trapped there, with neither teachers nor pupils knowing how to get out of the building safely. īefore regular fire drills were instituted, an infamous fire broke out at the private Catholic school Our Lady of the Angels in 1958, in Chicago. The purpose of fire drills in buildings is to ensure that everyone knows how to exit safely as quickly as possible if a fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, or other emergency occurs, and to familiarize building occupants with the sound of the fire alarm. History of fire drills A group of students at James Madison University evacuate their dorm rooms in response to a fire drill Fire alarm tests are often done outside normal business hours so as to minimize disruption of building functions in schools, they are often done when students and staff are not around or during the holidays where specialist fire alarm engineers test alarms in the building for repair if needed. In addition to fire drills, most buildings have their fire alarm systems checked on a regular basis to ensure that the system is working. Generally, the evacuation interval is measured to ensure that it is fast enough, and problems with the emergency system or evacuation procedures are identified so that they may be remedied. Fire drill procedures may vary depending on the building type, such as hospitals or high rise buildings, where occupants may be relocated within the building as opposed to evacuating the building. In most cases, the building's existing fire alarm system is activated and the building is evacuated by means of the nearest available exits, as if an emergency had actually occurred. Students practicing a fire drill in a smoke trailer with a firefighter assisting them A fire alarm notification appliance widely used in the US and CanadaĪ fire drill is a method of practicing how a building would be evacuated in the event of a fire or other emergencies. For the song by American singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez, see K-12 (album). Learn more about fire safety for everyone.This article is about the safety exercise in case of emergency. Officials from the Fire Marshal’s Office will be conducting fire drill assessments at Island schools beginning mid-September. “Fire drills help children and adults feel more comfortable with the noise, the activity and the process so that if a real fire occurs, everyone will be able to respond in a calm, organized manner.” “Knowing what to do is the key to surviving a fire emergency,” says Fire Marshal Rossiter. Like at school, it is important to practice fire drills at home too. A student should never go back in until a teacher or another responsible adult says it is okay. Students are asked to remember - once outside, stay outside. Your child’s teacher will take roll call to make sure all students are safe. Go to the meeting place outside the school and wait there.Everyone needs to get out safely, and that includes your child and his classmates. Do not panic, but go quickly and quietly out of your classroom.Listen for instructions from your teacher. Parents – here are three things to discuss with your children, so that everyone will know what to do when a fire alarm sounds at school: “The lives of students and staff may someday depend on everyone knowing these procedures.” “Everyone in the school needs to know how to get outside quickly and quietly, and the best way to learn is to practice,” says Provincial Fire Marshal Dave Rossiter. The drills are just as important for seasoned students and teachers too. It’s a familiar routine most will remember from bygone school days, but for some younger students it may be a new experience. In the coming weeks, students and staff of Island schools will hear the peal of the alarm bell and take part in school-wide fire drills.
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