Staff Editorial

Emergencies occur, it is simply a part of human existence. The way that groups and organizations deal with these situations however, is what is most important.

The Amherst community at large has been especially vigilant about dealing with both crime and fire, providing quick reaction time and ensuring the safety of those at the scene. Following the report of an electrical fire in Bartlett Hall yesterday morning, firefighters from UMass were on the scene immediately to help evacuate students and staff out of the building and to deal with the problem.

Not only did they prove to have both quick reaction times and cool heads, but they also managed to disperse information to the anxious crowd nearby.

The Amherst Fire Department also had its share of hard work when they responded to the blaze that engulfed Delta Upsilon fraternity on Oct. 5, forcing 23 fraternity brothers to find new accommodations. Amherst Fire chief Keith Hoyle was quoted in a previous Collegian story explaining that the department did not get to the fire as fast as they would have liked, due to the fact that the fire alarms had been covered up with plastic bags.

Because they were unable to get the signal, by the time that the fire fighters responded the fire was already out of control and had devoured one side of the house. Despite that, the 45 employees from the department, joined by UMass student volunteers and four fire fighters from Northampton acted quickly and managed to have the situation under control within an hour of responding. Although four people were hospitalized with minor injuries and dehydration, the department fought the blaze until it was out. At the same time, they also managed to control a large crowd of onlookers and obtain information from the fraternity brothers regarding the fire itself.

The University was also quick to respond to the situation, dispensing food and clothing vouchers and making housing arrangements for the members of the fraternity.

What could have been a really difficult situation was alleviated by a number of people working together to be sure that everything was properly handled.

Often when emergencies occur they leave people shocked or unsure of what to do. That is why a quick and effective system, such as the effective response procedures that the employees of the UMass police and fire systems and those of Amherst, are so important. By doing their jobs effectively they not only manage to deal with preventing tragedies but they also provide concerned people with peace of mind.

And that is something that everyone could use in an emergency.

Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the Collegian editorial board.