On The University of Mississippi campus our office conducts fire drills
once each semester in each camous residence hall and in each sorority
house.  At the present time we are just now bringing the fraternity houses
into this schedule.

In most cases, all drills are scheduled for the hours from about 4:30 p.m.
to 7:30 p.m. and we use the dorm head residents and floor r.a.s to monitor
the evacuation process.  We use a standard form (our own) and record times
of alarm activation, method used, time dispatcher receives alarm signal,
and time of Fire Dept. notification.  We also record the time required for
all residents to evacuate the building and whether they used a central
gathering place.

We also use the dorm reps. to monitor all sirens, speakers, and any other
notification devices for problems at the time of the drills.  Any problems
are reported to us and to the Physical Plant and are promptly repaired.

We have found that in many cases the building residents were notified in
advance of a scheduled fire drill, and because of this we are working on an
acceptable plan to conduct unannounced drills at random times in the future.

Please advise of any other methods any of you may be using for fire drills
and the results you are having.

Thank You,

Steve Hale, Fire Inspector
University Fire Services
The University of Mississippi