The School Fire Drill Revolution

It is surprising, said Chief Hunt of the fire department, what has been accomplished with the fire drill in the Seattle public schools. It is worth any one's time to see the children come out of the buildings after an alarm has been turned in. First the fire brigade rushes down, grabs the hose and gets ready for action. Then to the sound of music the pupils march from their rooms and out of the building. Just think of it, only two minutes, and in some cases less time, is required to accomplish this. I started out today to inspect the public schools and went first to the Mercer. Teachers and pupils were unaware of what was coming when the principal rang the big fire bell. All I heard was a slight confusion, then one boy came down the stairs as if he was shot out of a cannon. A second later others came behind him, and before I fairly realized what was going on, the firemen were ready for work and the doors were fastened open. Now I heard music and the tramp, tramp that told me that the children were marching. There was not the slightest disorder in the line of march. Out they came, hats and cloaks and lunch baskets on their arms. When the building was empty I found that only two minutes had elapsed from the tapping of the bell.