Fire Safety Education

Resident Adviser Safety Training

All RAs attend required fire safety training in August before students move into residence halls. The training is provided by the University Fire Marshal and Fire Safety staff and includes a classroom portion with a PowerPoint presentation, introduction to University fire safety policies, and an evacuation video. The second portion of the class is a hands-on fire extinguisher training in which each RA is required to use a fire extinguisher to put out a controlled training fire. The classes provide RAs with specific instructions on fire prevention and evacuation and reporting procedures. Housing also provides separate training during the same week, which includes a review of all residence hall policies and procedures regarding fire safety.

Student Fire Safety Training

The development of a culture of fire safety at UNC-Chapel Hill is critical to a safe environment. Education is one of the most important aspects of developing that culture, and extensive training and education is an annual part of our fire safety program. The following is a partial list of the Fire Safety Section’s education and training efforts over the past three calendar years:

• Participated in the annual Fall Festival celebration – helping to provide a safe environment, answering fire safety questions, and ensuring compliance with the NC State Fire Code (2018, 2019).
• Held annual fire safety fair in collaboration with UNC Public Safety, Chapel Hill Fire Department, Carolina Dining Services and Orange County Emergency Services to develop on-going fire safety relationships with students and to provide hands-on training (2018, 2019).
• Facilitated quarterly training sessions for the EHS Emergency Response Team, collaborating their knowledge and reviewing incidents to improve effectiveness of hazardous materials incident response.
• Trained students, faculty and staff in fire extinguisher use, with live fire, PowerPoint and student developed videos.
• Trained 300 Resident Advisors yearly for the Department of Housing and Residential Education.
• Participated in Fire Safety fair (10/29/19) in collaboration with the Department of Residential Education, Orange County EMS, UNC Police, Chapel Hill Fire Department, NC Forestry and other stakeholders to reach students with fire safety messages.
• Partnered with Town of Chapel Hill and Community partners and the Office of Student Fraternities and Sororities to ensure town and student success through knowledge of available programs.
• Partnered with the Chapel Hill Fire Department to provide yearly training opportunities in University housing facilities.
• Continued our building and fire safety inspection procedure that will ensure annual inspections of all student housing annually.
• In 2020, all Resident Advisors were trained virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.