|
|
|
|
A Night Time Emergency
A few days have passed after I was a new tenant in the senior apartment. Around 1:30AM in the morning one day, the emergency light went off and an announcement came out. “All tenants please evacuate as soon as possible.” My wife and I got out of bed, uncertain and got down to the first floor. Since we lived in the 5th floor, it was easy to get down from where we lived.
After about 10 minutes have passed, I noticed there were only about 30 people outside. I was alarmed why so few people came out when this was an emergency. A short time passed, and fully armed firemen came. After checking things here and there, they said it was ok for us to return to our rooms.
When I asked a deaconess who attended my first planted church, who also happened to live here, she said it was a “routine thing”. Sure, a lot of elderly people may leave their stove on by accident, and may cause a fire any given time. Also because it was an 11 story floored building, there may be some malfunction in the building? But why did so many of the tenants stayed in their rooms and not evacuate? I guess it has become so routine, it’s like nothing is going to happen. Or perhaps, some of the elderly are too tired to climb all the floors down and simply gave up. I can see it because I see many of them walking slowly and barely make it to the dining room after their elevator ride.
If there is a large fire or earthquake, how would they be able to be rescued? I think dozens of firemen are needed for rescue. Thankfully, Liberty Tower is made of concrete, from all the pillars to the floor, and is built very strongly. The fire system is also very well made so I think the fire may be put out fast. After the first surprise alarm we got used to the fire emergency drill. A new routine was made.
Before going to bed, we had some new emergency clothes to wear. Flashlights and water bottles were put in a bag. I got a small fire proof safety box in case of a fire. I leave all my important documents there in the day time, and during night time, move it to a bag to be carried around. Any important documents such as citizenship, vehicle registration, social security cards, would take very long time to remake. So I just take them all out with me when an emergency drill happens. I think it sounds like I’m being all concerning, but better be prepared than nothing.
I tell my wife many times to keep our last will and our receipt for our cemetery just in case if one of us pass away first. This first emergency drill gave us a huge impact in our life. We were slightly frightened because of an emergency drill in the middle of night, but I am thankful that such things happened.
(April 14th, 2011)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Morning and Evening, about an hour 
A Night Time Emergency