Oberlin Fire Safety Reconsidered

Tragedy struck Seton Hall University on the morning of Jan. 19 when a fire erupted in freshman dorm North Boland Hall, causing three student deaths and over 50 injuries. On Jan. 27, students and teachers at Seton Hall attended a memorial service to mourn the deaths of Aaron Karol, Frank Caltibilota and John Giunta.

The Seton Hall fire brings the fire safety of Oberlin's dorms under scrutiny. Oberlin Security supervisor Ralph Francis said, "The [dorms] have fire alarm systems, and have a control monitor. I would say our response is very good in terms of the exiting system. We do testing and fire drills and students are responsive," said security supervisor Ralph Francis.

"We have a proactive fire safety program including education, drill, and tests," Francis added. He stressed the Community Action Makes Public Safety (CAMPS) program as essential to promoting fire safety in dorms and co-ops. Moreover, all Resident Coordinators (RC's) and Area Coordinators (AC's) take a mandatory fire prevention course at the beginning of each school year to ensure preparation for a potential fire.

On Feb. 2, Seton Hall University President Robert Sheeran announced that the university would install and expand sprinkler systems in all the resident halls on campus. Although the dorms have smoke detectors in each room as well as in the common areas and hallways, the lack of sprinkler systems in Boland was probably the critical factor leading to the student deaths. The President announced that both the Boland and Aquinas dorms will be equipped with sprinkler systems. The four other dorms on campus are currently equipped with sprinkler systems.

Francis said not all of Oberlin's dorms are equipped with sprinkler systems. When asked if sprinkler systems will be installed in Oberlin's dorms, he said, "I believe not." Francis noted that most of the new buildings have sprinkler systems, but speculated that older buildings may not be equipped with sprinklers

During his announcement, Sheeran said, "In order to learn - at Seton Hall or anywhere else - students must feel safe. One step in restoring the learning environment is to install sprinkler systems in those residence halls where they do not now exist and to expand the existing sprinkler systems in the other halls."

Assistant Professor of Communication at Seton Hall Deirdre Yates said, "I know the real reason for my tears. I was crying for Aaron and Frank and John [the deceased], and when I thought of their parents, I pulled my daughter close and held her tight,"

"Together as people who are suffering a great loss, may our unity today demonstrate our love and sympathy to the families of the bereaved and to those who continue to need our prayers during their time of recuperation," said W. King Mott, dean of freshmen studies at Seton Hall, during the memorial service.

Oberlin students seemed apathetic regarding dorm fire alarms. Senior Jeannie Kwon said she usually doesn't pay attention upon a dorm fire alarm because they so consistently prove to be tests. "I really think the dorms should be equipped with sprinklers, especially after what happened at Seton Hall," Kwon added. Speaking on dorm fire alarms, senior Gardner Swan said, "Normally I just go back to sleep."

Francis seemed confident that along with the fire department, Security is prepared to handle a dorm fire. "The main thing is for students to cooperate when alarms go off, even though most of the time it's a false alarm," he said.