Hiram – Hiram College resident advisors (RAs) met with local first responders prior to the start of the school year to find out how to handle common situations, and when to call on professionals for help.
First, the RA’s visited the Police Department to meet with Hiram Police Chief Brian Gregory. Topics discussed included how and when to call Hiram Police as well as police expectations of student behavior, should the department be called to campus. Other topics discussed included consequences of drinking and driving, drug and alcohol use, and cyber bullying.
Chief Gregory noted that Corporal Brown and K9 Guapo attended the session. Corporal Brown explained how the students should behave around Guapo. “Just because he’s lovable and friendly now, doesn’t mean he will be acting that way when he is on duty,” students were warned. “It was very refreshing to have these young adults be respectful, attentive and willing to work with their fellow students,” Chief Gregory noted.
The next day, RAs met with Hiram Fire Chief Bill Byers to learn about the department’s capabilities. Chief Byers warned that often, fire alarms on campus can tripped in error for a variety of reasons; he asked RAs to trouble-shoot a situation prior to placing a call to the department. He urged them, however, to get out if they see smoke, and to call on their way or after exiting the building.
Students were instructed on how to be more aware of their surroundings to help make emergency situations less scary. For example, counting the doorways to the closest exit from their dorm is valuable since, in a fire-related emergency, smoke may obscure visibility. Chief Byers also advised them to have two ways out, in case the original path is blocked. After reviewing proper use of a fire extinguisher, several RAs had the opportunity to use one to put out a small fire in the department’s parking lot.
Since the department responds to both fire and medical emergencies, the chief also reviewed medical emergency warning signs, like bleeding that won’t stop, breathing difficulties, or drastic changes in behavior that should prompt a call to the department.
“We’re really fortunate to have such a good relationship with the Fire and Police,” shared Ed Frato-Sweeney, Hiram College’s Director of Residential and Citizenship Education. “Safety training is crucial. We’re ready and looking forward to students arrival and the start of another fall semester,” Frato-Sweeney concluded.
