Today I had a real eye opening experience. It had me wondering just how jaded we have become.
From September 11, 2001 until today, stories splash the headlines screaming about terrorist attacks or a deranged gunman, bombs and crowds trapped in burning buildings. People are on edge.
Which brings me to the event that left me wondering. People are on edge, but not in somewhere that they are comfortable.
While exercising at the gym, the emergency alarm began to sound. It was a piercing sound. This alarm issued a dire warning. “THERE IS AN EMERGENCY IN THE BUILDING. PLEASE PROCEED CALMLY TO THE NEAREST EXIT. DO NOT USE THE ELEVATORS.
I was expecting a mad rush to the exits! Or at least people trotting toward the exits. It is a gym, after all.
Most people in the facility continued working out and ignored the warning.
Yes.
They ignored the warning! It wasn’t as if the management gave an “All Clear” statement over the speaker system. The alarm continued its announcement of doom.
The woman on the machine next me looked at me inquisitively, as if to ask what is happening?. I explained that the alarm was sounding and there was an emergency in the building and they were advising everyone to leave the building. She gazed around her and stayed on the machine. Hey, nobody else is leaving. Therefore, it is safe.
She stayed.
It is called the herd mentality. The majority of the herd elected to stay in the building assuming that it was safe.
The management, in name only, failed to take command. Either it was safe to stay in the building and announce that to the people exercising. Or they should step up and take command. Usher the customers from the building in an orderly manner.
Failures on the part of those in authority have lead to disaster. For example when the Costa Concordia cruise ship was sinking and the crew was told to tell the passengers to remain calm. Some were told to return to their cabins, where many were later found dead.
Complacency has become the order of the day. An alarm is sounding. Just ignore it. I still wonder if the management were unaware that the alarm detects carbon monoxide as well as fires.
Please readers, if the alarm is sounding, just go outside. Determine if it is safe to return.
A caveat alarms in schools across the cross with be address in another article.
Remember: Your Safety is Up to You.