Freshmen Participate in Life-Safety Fair

By Broadside Correspondent Miguel Perez

Since the year 2000, 168 college students nationwide have died as a result of fires.

On Sept. 18, as an effort to promote awareness and to combat fire safety apathy and ignorance, freshman residents of Presidents Park participated in the first-annual Life Safety Fair. The event, sponsored by the Office of Housing and Residential Life, City of Fairfax Fire Department and the Office of Fire Safety Programs drew a large crowd of curious freshmen who were treated to free turkey dogs, Coke Zero and later Domino’s Pizza in the event.

Students walked around the different panels present, including the American Red Cross, the Office of Student Health Services, which gave out free condoms and performed demonstrations on request, a booth where students could sign up for Mason alerts, a Coke Zero booth, which gave out free samples and held a raffle, and WGMU, which played music and broadcasted live from Presidents Park.

The City of Fairfax allowed students to test out fire extinguishers by shooting them against an artificial fire. Also present was a vehicle which recreated the conditions of a smoke-filled room. Students who went inside had to crawl and exit the vehicle through the back in a simulation of a real life fire.

“It was really crazy. I couldn’t see anything and I was hit by the head. My friend Brian saved my life. I would be screwed if there was a real fire," said freshman Robert Kramer of his escape.

The centerpiece of the event was a mock dorm room which was set on fire at 6:09 p.m. by members of the City of Fairfax Fire Department. The artificial structure was filled with typical objects found in a dorm room: a computer, a phone, posters, etc. The fire was lit through a hole from the back which then lit the garbage can filled with paper and a pizza box on fire. Smoke started to fill the room in a minute and the fire started to build up gradually.

“We want [freshman residents] to see that it’s not like in the movies,” explained Residential Fire Safety Director Rosie Clark. “It only takes three minutes for a room to be engulfed in flames.”

Students stood at a safe distance from the burning room, which had been taped off by yellow tape. In just two and a half minutes, the room was consumed by flames. The room’s temperature reached 1100-1200 degrees Fahrenheit and as the room burned, smoke billowed. Finally, the fire was put out by the fire fighters and the crowd cheered.

The event was a pipedream, according to Clark. It was formed out of the idea of setting a dorm on fire as seen in numerous YouTube videos. Another reason for the fire simulation was Mason’s growing residential population. This year alone, the current residential population stands at 5000 and is expected to double by 2010. Next year’s event is expected to be bigger and involve more student organizations.

“It was a great educational experience that brought people together,” said freshman Alex Romano. “And I think it really showed us that fire safety isn't something that we can be apathetic about."