Each month, local schools are required to conduct a crisis drill. Last Thursday, Marshall Elementary School was able to show how doing these drills routinely proves beneficial. Last Thursday, March 21, faculty/staff and students were able to put those practices to use during a fire alarm.
Just shortly before 9 a.m., the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call from both the alarm system and staff at Marshall Elementary School noting the alarm was sounded and there was smoke in the west wing. The alarm was sounded and staff escorted students outside. Due to the cold, students were escorted by Eureka USD 389 faculty/ staff to the Tornado Activity Center (TAC), which is connected to the Eureka Junior/Senior High School.
“The protocol that the elementary school went through went very well,” stated Eureka Fire Chief Luke Westerman. “Proper planning and previous fire drills have helped the staff and kids in executing the process. Students were able to be escorted to EJSHS for a safe and warm place as fire crews worked to locate the issue,” he continued.
According to Chief Westerman, initial reports noted that there was smoke in the science room. As crews focused their attention on that area, they learned the issue wasn’t above the science room; but, rather coming from the mechanical room upstairs. The Eureka Fire Department, with the assistance of the Eureka USD 389 Maintenance Staff, was able to isolate the issue to a motor on the HVAC system. Crews were able to disconnect the motor, ventilate the rooms and allow students and staff to return for the remainder of their school day.
“While it took a while to isolate the cause, the evacuation of the students, work by the fire department and maintenance staff allowed for the students to return to the classroom to finish out their day,” stated Westerman. The Eureka Fire Department was en route to the scene within four minutes of being dispatched.
While at the TAC, students were able to cheer on Pickleball players, participate in a “roller coaster” led by Principal Stacy Coulter and walk with classmates.
Students returned to Marshall Elementary at approximately 10:30 a.m.
An “after-action meeting,” for staff and first responders, is expected to be held this week.
