VOL. XVII, NO. 7
JANUARY 16, 1976
Guest Editorial
A Prank Can Cause Harm
A Prank Can Cause Harm
By THOM O'DONNELL
Two false fire alarms have been turned in within the last month here at Maine West - a surprising number indeed. If this continues, it could become a serious problem.
The state law requires Maine West to have nine fire drills within the course of the year. Many schools have this many false fire alarms each year. These are the schools that don't have any of the fine equipment we have, and this is why they don't- because students ruin whatever is there.
Each year in the United States over 35,000 accidents occur involving emergency vehicles. This includes fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, etc. Out of that 35,000 accidents, a great many of those emergency vehicles needed not to be out anyway. They were called out on false alarms.
Two false fire alarms have been turned in within the last month here at Maine West - a surprising number indeed. If this continues, it could become a serious problem.
The state law requires Maine West to have nine fire drills within the course of the year. Many schools have this many false fire alarms each year. These are the schools that don't have any of the fine equipment we have, and this is why they don't- because students ruin whatever is there.
Each year in the United States over 35,000 accidents occur involving emergency vehicles. This includes fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, etc. Out of that 35,000 accidents, a great many of those emergency vehicles needed not to be out anyway. They were called out on false alarms.
Should a fire break out on the other side of town while the Des Plaines Fire Department is investigating a false alarm here, that house or building will just burn while waiting for the firemen.
The penalty for pulling a false fire alarm is quite severe. A student will lose his credit for the entire year of school and be expelled from Maine West for the remainder of the term. The offender is then turned over to the civil authorities.
Maine West or any other school cannot afford to have its students crying wolf, and students certainly cannot afford to be thrown out of school and lose credit for the classes already attended. If the situation continues, and Maine West is confronted with a fire, we just may have another Our Lady of Angels fire story on our hands. Let's keep our heads together and not let the situation get out of hand.
The penalty for pulling a false fire alarm is quite severe. A student will lose his credit for the entire year of school and be expelled from Maine West for the remainder of the term. The offender is then turned over to the civil authorities.
Maine West or any other school cannot afford to have its students crying wolf, and students certainly cannot afford to be thrown out of school and lose credit for the classes already attended. If the situation continues, and Maine West is confronted with a fire, we just may have another Our Lady of Angels fire story on our hands. Let's keep our heads together and not let the situation get out of hand.