After-school fire alarm sends students to track for safety

Published: April 14, 2009

2:20 p.m. has always been a significant time at FHN. It’s the time when students scurry out to their cars and buses. It’s the time when athletes congregate down to the locker room.

It’s the time when other kids go upstairs for math tutoring. At about 2:20 today, the fire alarm started going off and nobody really knew what to do.

Peoples first reaction to the alarm was not a concerned or caring feeling. The majority of students and staff stayed inside the building.

“When the alarm went off, I just stayed in my classroom and continued working,” math teacher Brooke Roe said. “I guess my student’s education is more important than my safety.”

After a few minutes, Elaine Downs reported on the intercom that all students needed to evacuate the building. Everyone left. When everyone was outside the students and staff were reported down to the track. After about 12 minutes, everyone could safely enter the building.

Although there have been rumors of a bomb threat or somebody just pulling the fire alarm, the problem was finally solved. After the incident, Officer Pat Fitzgerald said the fire alarm sounded due to a “malfunctioning valve,” and nothing serious happened to the school.

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