Valor Christian College 2024 Fire Safety Report

The College maintains fire suppression and detection equipment in residence halls as required by state, and local fire regulations. This consists of smoke detectors, pull stations, sprinkler systems and automatic notification equipment that alert the fire department immediately upon alarm activation. Campus Safety & Security personnel are trained to assist the Columbus City Fire Department in building evacuations during fire drills, fire alarms, or other emergencies. The following statistics are presented for your information and are maintained by the Campus Safety & Security Department.

FIRE RELATED STATISTICS FOR RESIDENT HALL FACILITIES – only includes those where fire incidents have occurred during the last three (3) previous years.

DESCRIPTION OF EACH RESIDENT HALL FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS: all resident halls in bold are located on the main campus at 4595 Gender Rd.

Summary of Basic Fire Response Procedures:

In the event of a fire alarm or actual fire, all students and employees must follow the procedures outlined in our campus fire response plan. To see the complete details please read the Resident Hall Fire Response & Evacuation Plan.

• Activate the nearest Fire Alarm pull station. If you’re in a building that does not have pull stations, warn the other occupants by knocking on doors and shouting as you leave*.
• Notify 911 immediately and contact Campus Safety & Security office. Provide the exact location and details of the fire situation.
• Confine the fire by closing all doors in the area and rescue anyone in immediate danger, if it is safe to do so.
• Evacuate the building via the nearest exit, in a controlled yet rapid manner. All persons are to utilize stairs, not elevators during a fire alert situation. Walk to the outside of the building at a distance of at least 50 – 100 feet, keeping the main building egress clear for incoming emergency vehicles.
• Remain outside until the Fire Department and Campus Safety & Security personnel arrive to assess the situation, which includes a search of the building for any remaining occupants. Approval to return to the building is subject to authorization by the Fire Chief.

*Note: If you are in a residence hall and a fire alarm sounds automatically, follow steps 2 through 5 even if you do not observe actual fire or smoke.

Other Pertinent Information Regarding Campus Fire Safety:

Reporting of Fires – all fires occurring on campus must be reported immediately to the Campus Safety & Security Department. After a fire incident has occurred in the resident hall, the appropriate Resident Director, the Dean and Associate Deans of Resident Life are to be apprised of the situation.

Fire Drills – a minimum of two (2) Fire Drills for residence halls will be scheduled during the fall and spring semesters, at a time when the majority of students are in their rooms. Scheduling will be coordinated by the Director of Student Housing and the Campus Safety & Security Department. Effective in 2014 evacuation drills are performed.

Training – Resident Directors will insure that all residents are informed of fire procedures during the start of the fall semester. Resident Directors and Assistants receive a yearly review at the beginning of each new academic school year by the Campus Safety & Security Department. Faculty/staff are reminded on an annual basis to review the fire procedures made available on the website. Specialized training is provided as necessary.

Portable Appliances – the use of portable heaters, halogen lamps without safety guards, cooking devices such as hot plates, etc. are not permissible in all office and residential areas of the campus. To further elaborate, portable heaters are absolutely forbidden in all campus environments.

Smoking, Candle Use, etc. – smoking, the use of candles, incense, matches, potpourri, kerosene lanterns or lamps, or any other open flame is not permissible in any resident hall. The storage of combustible fuels, paints, or oil is also forbidden.

Extension Cords – only those with surge protection are permitted (power strips with surge protection). Multi-ply adaptors and the interconnection of extension cords are not permitted. Extension cords must not be run through doors or windows.

Fire Log – the College maintains a log of any fire or alarm that occurred in an on campus student residence facility. The log is open to public inspection during normal business hours and is maintained in the Campus Safety & Security office. Information contained on the log, includes: the nature of the incident, date, time, cost of damages and general location of each fire and/or alarm.

Plans for Future Improvements in Fire Safety – the College is always involved in an on-going evaluation of its resident halls and buildings to ensure that safe conditions are maintained and upgrades are rendered as necessary. The Columbus Fire Department is also active in conducting comprehensive fire inspections of all campus buildings.

For further information relative to fire safety on campus, please refer to the VCC website and reference the Fire and Evacuation Procedures and Q & A that has been made available.

Security – Further Information

Further information about campus safety and security can be obtained from:

Campus Safety & Security Office – (614) 382-1159