EVENTS WILL INCLUDE A MOCK DORM ROOM BURNING STAGED BY FAIRFAX FIREFIGHTERS 

By Sarah Wheeler, Staff Writer

The annual Mason Ready Life Safety Fair will be held on the lawn outside Merten Hall on Thursday, Oct. 26 from 2-4 p.m.

According to Zachary Pope, the director of University Life and Emergency Management, the goal for this event is to bring the Mason community together to learn about safety and preparedness.

“It’s an opportunity for students to meet the first responders, university departments, and other outside organizations that help to keep our campus safe and healthful in a fun, laid back environment,” Pope said.

The fair will be a joint presentation by the offices of University Life, Environmental Health & Safety, University Police and the City of Fairfax Fire Department. This year’s event will offer free food and promotional giveaways, including free t-shirts. Students will be able to participate in fun activities like an obstacle course and bumper cars, as well as more serious subjects such as fire extinguisher training, making tornado kits, extraction from a vehicle accident, and a controlled fire demonstration with a mock dorm room burn by Fairfax firefighters.

“Students especially won’t want to miss the annual mock residence hall room burn at 4 p.m.,” Pope said. “The City of Fairfax Fire Department will ignite a mock dorm room to help attendees visualize how a fire can go from a small flicker to a raging inferno in a matter of seconds.”

Students who live on campus will also have the opportunity to get their curtains or tapestries fire-treated at the event.

Mason Ready 2017 is open to the public and all Mason students, faculty, and staff. Parking for non-permit holders will be available in the visitor area of the Rappahannock Parking Deck.

Photo Courtesy of Evan Cantwell/Creative Services