CMU's warning system responds well to students' safety
A chemical exposure cleared students out of Dow Science Complex last Friday. As officials cleaned up the corrosive and flammable chemical, students were evacuated in an efficient and timely manner.
But the incident also proved Central Michigan University’s emergency protocol procedures are quick and responsive, keeping students safe.
Although there were no serious injuries, the exposure was still taken seriously, as it should have been. The response by authorities and school officials was swift and appropriate.
This is the first time during the academic year the emergency system had to be used. In the past, the emergency system has been known to go off when it wasn’t needed, disrupting classes. Used as just a test, the emergency system was generally dismissed by most students as annoying and irrelevant.
But the incident Friday proved the emergency system is still useful and, for the most part, needed.
The incident may seem like officials overreacted but, with chemical spills, it is never known what could happen. The threat was contained quickly before it got out of hand, eliminating the chance for a breakout. Overreacting is better than not taking enough action, especially when such a potentially dangerous accident happens.
Students had to part with their belongings, which should be the least of their concerns during possibly life-threatening events. The university had students retrieve their belongings from respective departments.
Thankfully, injuries — only to an unnamed professor who was soon released from Central Michigan Community Hospital — were kept to a minimum.
CMU’s emergency system is capable of reaching everyone on campus, from the speakers installed in each classroom to students’ e-mail.
The ability to reach students anywhere and any time, whether or not they are on campus, keeps everyone informed and ready during a crisis.
Students should take every emergency system seriously, even if they know it is just a drill. CMU’s system worked well Friday and should work well in the future.
