Many of you saw the flames and smoke that rose thickly over the Quad Wednesday at noon. What you saw was the result of a partnership between Newberg Fire Department and the GFU Residence Life Department. As part of our Fire Education Strategy, the Fire Marshal, Chris Mayfield, had his crews build a mock residence hall room full of furniture and belongings. This room was placed in the campus Quad. After speaking briefly to the gathered 400+ students, staff and faculty, he lit a simple bag of microwave popcorn and tossed it into a trashcan. Within minutes the room was engulfed with flames and completely enshrouded with flame. The object of the exercise was to illustrate the speed at which a room can become filled with flames and smoke. While many lessons can be learned from this demonstration, the most significant point was that a resident could be dead from smoke inhalation and heat within a matter of minutes in such a room.
We purposely did not advertise this event; the shock value was more significant in drawing attention than preparing for it. Incidentally, the speed of an actual fire will not allow us to anticipate it either. However, you may anticipate that this will happen next year.
Besides reinforcing that candles, halogens, smoking, etc. are not permitted or wise within our student housing, the pressing need for quick evacuation when alarms sound was driven home. Over the next weeks, the halls will practice drills and other evacuation procedures will be discussed in our disparate buildings. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact myself or one of the Area Coordinators.
David M. Johnstone
Associate Dean of Students
djohnstone@georgefox.edu
