Evacuation Drills
Thursday, November 16, 2006
"Towers x and y will have Fire/Emergency evacuation drills at 10:30 am today" read the sign near all escalators. Not my first time but then having done this before, I knew it was gonna be a 45minute - 1 hour affair. Good day for the drill I'd say, respite from the disturbing rain and temperture in mid 60s - felt like it was Summer again.
Stairwells can be claustrophobic - I tell ya. The stairs just went on and on and on and I realised that its so easy to trip and fall down, especially when there's trouble and all are in a hurry. Ha, were in for a surprise to find out where it took us - right next to the goddamn heavy-traffic street. As it is you'd be all psyched up running down and voila find yourselves next to vehicles speeding at 50-55 ... nggi !!
So, after climbing down like 1000 stairs for what felt like 12 hours, were asked to wait outside till everything cleared up inside (reset their alarm system or somethin). Its crazy when you have hundreds of employees all lined up chit-chatting about the elections, weather, thanksgiving plans, celtics, projects etc..etc..etc. And the rush towards the elevators/escalators when they gave the nod - oh man, it was worth a watch.
It was bound to happen, I mean imagine an escalator trying hard to function properly, carrying ~ 50 human beings !! It broke down. Geez - you shuda seen it come to a screeching halt. Then as if they were communicating with each other- the other one broke down. he he he - it was fun.
Eventually ended up climbing those friggin stairs. It was a nightmare for some, claustrophobic for some, fun for others but all in all an activity thats given importance and due attention in this part of the world. Can be scary - with all those emergency lights blinking, sirens blowing, people running here and there looking for the exit. Best thing is to stay cool; something which is easily said than done - especially in those circumstances.
Posted by Rajesh @ 8:39 PM; PERMALINK,
