Smoke Evacuation Drill Planned Saturday for Scioto Hall

Despite what the cliche insists, where there's smoke on Saturday at UC, there won't necessarily be any fire.

Smoke may be visible coming from Scioto Hall on Saturday morning, but it will only be a drill. The high-rise residence hall currently nearing completion from renovation will be the site for a fire safety evacuation drill run by UC Emergency Services.

The smoke may be visible outside the building, and the Cincinnati Fire Department is expected to have a couple of units on hand. But, UC Fire Safety Inspector and Emergency Planner Pia Washington says, it will all be part of a controlled-situation exercise involving theatrical smoke.

At least 50 participants are expected to take part in the drill, which will simulate the experience of having to leave a residence hall room and navigate a dark and smoke-filled hallway. The same drill was conducted at the beginning of the academic year with a group of UC residence hall advisers who found the experience to be extremely valuable, according to Washington.

For those with any questions about Saturday's drill, contact

Pia Washington

.