Fire Safety Education

Resident Adviser Safety Training

All resident advisors 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 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 resident advisor is required to use a fire extinguisher to put out a controlled training fire. The classes provide resident advisors with specific instructions on fire prevention and evacuation and reporting procedures. Carolina 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 FallFest celebration – helping to provide a safe environment, answering fire safety questions and ensuring compliance with North Carolina State Fire Code (2019, 2021).
• Held annual fire safety fair in collaboration with UNC Police, the Chapel Hill Fire Department, Carolina Dining Services and Orange County Emergency Services to develop ongoing fire safety relationships with students and to provide hands-on training (2019).
• Facilitated quarterly training sessions for the EHS Emergency Response Team, providing the opportunity for knowledge sharing and reviewing incidents to improve effectiveness of hazardous materials incident response.
• Trained students, faculty and staff in fire extinguisher use, with live fire, presentations and student developed videos.
• Trained 300 resident advisors yearly for Carolina Housing. In 2020, all resident advisors were trained virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Participated in a Fire Safety Fair (Oct. 29, 2019) in collaboration with Carolina Housing, Orange County Emergency Medical Services, UNC Police, the Chapel Hill Fire
• Department, the North Carolina Forest Service and other stakeholders to reach students with fire safety messages.
• Partnered with Town of Chapel Hill, community partners and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life 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.