A false fire alarm went off at LBCC’s T building on LAC around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, one of the many that have gone off without reason over the last few semesters.
LBCC students and staff exited the building and gathered outside as they waited for the all clear from the Long Beach Fire Department.
The alarms are not only frustrating for the staff and professors working and teaching in the T building, but also for the students who are trying to learn.
“This is my first experience with this. I was really into class right now and then this happened,” said LBCC student Aaron Boyd.
When the alarms go off, professors must get all their students out safely and back in when the alarms clear.
“They should definitely look into this really soon and I think they should say something over a PA system or something,” Boyd said.
LBCC students Ashton Huddleston, left, Chad Christensen, middle, and Cole Royat, right, gather outside of T Building after alarms went off, forcing them to evacuate. (Sam Villa)
During this time, students could leave and not return for the remainder of the class.
“This isn’t the first time this happened. I’ve been in a real alarm for an actual fire, so I didn’t really know what was happening. I think it could be really bad if the false alarms keep happening,” said LBCC student Amir Jameel.
No fire or emergency was reported, but the false alarms will cause students to become desensitized to the alarm, ultimately leading to them to not take it seriously in the event of an actual emergency.
The Viking spoke with LBCC president Mike Munoz about the situation.
“I am aware of the situation going off today. I do not have any info as to why,” said Munoz.
Students and faculty are now left to hope that their classes will not be interrupted in the future.