Thanks Nick! This was a great article and reminds me how easy it is to skirt by the issue of fire safety. Once, between a matinee and evening performance, I was eating dinner with my crew and the fire alarm went off in the theatre. Because we all knew the building it was quick to get us all out and do a quick sweep of the building for anyone left behind.
What would have happened had it been during the matinee (with the older patrons in a very old space with tiered seating) or even during that night's performance? We were quick to evacuate (a false alarm, granted), but would our House Manager and/or ushers have been prepared to help patrons? The "fire alarm" information is in their manual, but have they read it and applied the information to that particular theatre? Did they review the information with the volunteer ushers?
Since I am writing my MFA thesis on Safety and Stage Management this will make the basis for a great chapter on emergency situations. Great find!