Author Topic: Backstagejobs Article about Fire Safety  (Read 2247 times)

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nick_tochelli

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Backstagejobs Article about Fire Safety
« on: Jan 04, 2012, 09:01 am »
I found this article listed on backstagejobs and I think it's something everyone here should read as we tend to be the first line of defense for safety in the theater.

http://backstageat.backstagejobs.com/?p=845

Give it a read. Hopefully some of these things we all naturally do, but if you don't, its a good reminder of why fire safety is so important in the theater. I especially keyed on protecting the audience because they are our guests and it is our responsibility to make sure we do everything in our power to keep them safe.

EDIT: Read too quickly. Article is actually from backstagejobs
« Last Edit: Jan 04, 2012, 01:35 pm by nick_tochelli »

BLee

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Re: Backstagejobs Article about Fire Safety
« Reply #1 on: Jan 04, 2012, 07:17 pm »
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!
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LizzG

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Re: Backstagejobs Article about Fire Safety
« Reply #2 on: Jan 05, 2012, 03:50 pm »
This is a great article.  It's so easy to try and skirt around some of the fire safety issues (especially when touring and needing to find space for all the road cases, etc)....but after reading this article, why it's so important is really emphasized!

 

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