In order to comply with a new law requiring a more thorough approach to fire safety, the College hired Martin Harsh and Alex Grumbrecht in July 2010.
In order to comply with a new law requiring a more thorough approach to fire safety, the College hired Martin Harsh and Alex Grumbrecht in July 2010.
Harsh and Grumbrecht, both retired fire marshals for the City of Lancaster, work for the College as fire safety coordinators. Harsh feels their experience as fire marshals and the contacts they have are very beneficial to the work they do at F&M.
“It’s very convenient that Alex and I have such a close working relationship with our former employers,” Harsh said. “We communicate with the Lancaster Fire Department often and whenever we have a question we can call.”
Every October Harsh and Grumbrecht inspect the buildings on campus, including the academic buildings, management offices, fraternity and sorority houses, housing units, and dormitories. If the code is not followed, the College will lose out on opportunities for grants.
For any kind of housing unit, four fire evacuation drills are required each year, with one after dark. When inspected, the areas of focus are smoke detectors, sprinklers, heat detectors, and fire extinguishers. Every part of this system must remain code compliant and updates occur frequently.
The code used by F&M is a combination of the International Fire Code and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
“Wherever the code is more stringent, that is the rule we apply on campus,” Harsh said.
The department has seen improvements regarding the campus’ fire safety and plans to hold sessions with faculty and others interested to make further improvements.
“The overall fire safety and awareness on campus has improved tremendously in the past few years,” said Denise Freeman, director of environmental health and safety. “We are doing drills with the staff and administration. In January we will begin fire extinguisher training for the staff and anyone who expresses interest. If anyone has any questions, they should feel free to contact me, or our department. It is so important that everyone on campus feels comfortable and safe.”
“It’s nice to work at the College and see things progressing as well as they are,” Harsh added. “Changes are hard to make and the College has dramatically improved our safety. The administration here had been making changes even before the government push, and I am glad to be a part of that.”
Harsh also stressed the importance fire safety has on prospective students and their parents.
“I remember when I was sending my children to college; on our tours I checked out the alarm systems in the dorms,” Harsh said. “Parents are always very concerned with safety and I think it’s important to emphasize F&M’s high standards when addressing potential students.
Just Trying to Pass at F&M
This Valentine’s Day marks an important event for me, much more significant than heart-shaped chocolates or candlelit dinners: I’m trying to decide whether to take one of my classes Pass/No Pass, an option I have never before contemplated.
In Celebration of our Much Beloved V-Day
A few controversial moments have happened in the history of women’s oral contraception recently, and what better holiday for the topic?
Meaty Choices
In this article and in the following weeks, I am going to be discussing a topic that is close to most of our hearts: food.
Carpe Diem as Our Time Here Flies
“Time flies when you’re having fun,” as the phrase goes.
THRI Lunch Covers Making a Difference
The Human Rights Initiative, or THRI, hosted a lunch discussion Tuesday in the Bonchek College House Commons on the topic “How to Make a Difference.”
Law Panel Talks on Potential Internships
The Government Club and John Marshall Pre-Law Honors Society co-hosted a panel for students interested in government and law internships last Wednesday. The impressive turnout was composed of both students already involved in internships and those with no previous experience.
Darwin Day Lecture Discusses Skin Tone
Nina G. Jablonski, professor of anthropology at Penn State University, delivered a presentation entitled “The Evolution of Human Skin Pigmentation by Natural Selection” at the 10th annual Darwin Day Lecture and Luncheon Friday in the Booth Ferris room of Steinman College Center.
Apocalypse Now!
General William Sherman famously told us, “War is hell.”
Hanging With Friends vs. hanging with friends
At times, it seems that almost everyone around here has an iPhone.
In the Land of Snow and Hotness
Everyone knows studying abroad is a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience with the uniqueness of snow flakes or Meryl Streep character performances.
The Tibetan Oppression
This past January 23rd and 24th, Tibet was devastated by a number of conflicts between what the Chinese government has identified as “trained separatists” and police forces, the worst dissension since 2008. The conflicts have resulted in a complete communication shut down between Tibet and the outside world.
Panel Discusses Investment, Social Change
This week’s Common Hour focused on socially responsible investment and more importantly, what the College and schools around the country have been doing to ensure the companies they invest in are engaged in socially responsible practices.
Gender Relations in Greek Life and Sports
Friday’s Women’s Center Discussion, entitled “Brotherhood in Greek Life and Sports: Crossing Gender Norms,” focused on the friendships created through Greek life and athletics and how they affect gender relations.
Centralia Silent Hill
Sixty-five year old Barbara Jurgill is wary about speaking to reporters.
Reservoir Dogs
Don’t call yourself a Tarantino fan if you haven’t seen Reservoir Dogs.
The evolution of tennis
Before you read any further, I must warn you that I am going to quote ESPN’s Skip Bayless.
Women's basketball tops Washington, Muhlenberg
With a pair of victories this week, the women’s basketball team improved to 15-6 overall and 12-4 in Centennial Conference action.
Wrestling picks up first victory
This past Saturday the wrestling team earned its first win of the season, 36-15, against Sacred Heart at the Mayser Center.
Fraternities, sororities welcome new members
The end of January and the beginning of February marked the start of fraternity and sorority recruitment.
Franklin Innovation Challenge returns: second annual contest
The Franklin Innovation Challenge, a contest for F&M students with innovative ideas, is preparing for its second annual competition.
Shadek stadium
Laurence Shadek ’72 and the Shadek Family Foundation will donate $5 million to the College to help build a new multi-purpose stadium that will be located on the north end of campus.
Sixers might actually be for real
It was many and many a year ago,
Wrestling focuses on youth, conditioning
This past Friday, the wrestling team fell to Columbia University, 32-12, at home at the Mayser Center.
Jon Salandra loves winning, dunking
“I love dunking,” said Salandra. “I’m not gonna lie. Dunking and winning.”
Squash teams on hot streak
As the days of January wind down, the victories for F&M’s women’s squash team keep on coming.
Swimming makes good use of break
Both the men’s and women’s swim teams have put in a lot of work for the rest of their 2011-2012 seasons.
Women's Basketball wins third straight
Triumph and success are the words to describe the women’s basketball team during the month of December, as teams like McDaniel, Gettysburg, Haverford, Randolph-Macon, and Scranton all lost to F&M.
Occupy Needs to Disperse, Reevaluate Objectives
It’s a scene straight out of Baghdad, Afghanistan, or Pakistan: The American flag, engulfed in flames, surrounded by angry protestors defaming the United States. For those who truly love this country, those images hurt a little.
To Flee From or Find Fruitfulness in Fly-By Fridays
Quite an interesting epidemic is sweeping our campus.
Hertsgaard Talks on Generation Hot
In the presentation of his book, HOT: Living Through the Next Fifty Years on Earth in the Bonchek Common Room on Wednesday, journalist Mark Hertsgaard discussed the current climate crisis, its future impacts, what he sees as the good news, and what actions we can take to combat its effects.
Crown Fried Chicken Provides Southern Comfort
People say that Pennsylvania consists of Philadelphia, Pittsburg, and Alabama in between. If that’s the case, and we are living in the otherwise called “Pennsyltucky,” then where’s the fried chicken?
Feminism in a Modern Context
The first Women’s Center Discussion of the semester took place last Friday. The topic was “I’m not a feminist, but...” and the participants reflected upon the various meanings associated with being a feminist.
Forni Discusses Civility on Campus
Dr. P.M. Forni, professor of Italian literature and co-founder of the Johns Hopkins Civility Project, spoke about the importance of good manners and respect during Common Hour, entitled “Choosing Civility on Campus and in Life.”
