Letter to the Editor
Fire safety is important for students at SLC
by
Laura Lawler and Nataly Braginsky
Tuesday February 7, 2006
This is a letter to the editor that Fireman Bob asked us to write.
As the first students to attend Fire Safety School in 2005, we feel that we should inform the student body of what Fire Safety School really means.
The Fire Safety School was conducted by Bob Goldstein at 10 a.m. on Monday Oct. 24, 2005 (that’s right: October Study Days). Bob Goldstein is an active firefighter in addition to being the Fire Safety Director at Sarah Lawrence College, on call 24/7. His biggest concern and objective is keeping students safe here at Sarah Lawrence. He says when your parents bring you to school, they assume you will return safely after a couple of years and it is his job to make that happen.
As Mead Way residents, we have smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and fire extinguishers in every room and hallway. These fire defense systems are not all mandatory in the state of New York, but Sarah Lawrence has supplied them in most dorms despite their exorbitant costs.
It is especially important, however, for students in Hill House and other residences who do not have sprinkler systems to make smart fire safety decisions. Take a look around you and find out where your extinguishers are and what safety equipment you do or do not have. You might need this information in case of an emergency.
Some of the worst problems, which are criminal offenses resulting in large fines, up to fifteen days in jail, or even possible manslaughter charges, are arson (intentional fire starting), discharging of fire extinguishers, and pulling false fire alarms. You should be aware that the pull fire alarms have been dusted recently so that criminal investigations can and will be done to find the culprits who maliciously pull false fire alarms.
Bob Goldstein is often awoken in the middle of the night and must record all of our frivolous smoke alarms from burnt food, incense, and cigarette smoking. It happens all the time and it’s extremely inconsiderate. So make smart decisions.
It’s not only your life that’s at stake here, but those of the people you live with, the members of the fire department, and the people that the fire department should be aiding if there was a real fire in Yonkers!
Believe us, you don’t want to wake up in the morning and watch horrible DVDs of the stories of victims of college fires. More importantly, you don’t want to waste Bob Goldstein’s time teaching you things you should already know. Most importantly, you don’t want to put yourself and others in danger because of your inconsiderate pranks and bad safety decisions.
Sincerely,
Laura Lawler and Nataly Braginsky
