Rarely during times of a blackout would one consider things being brought to light. The recent blackout, though, revealed the lack of an adequate escape plan for disabled students.
FCC student Patricia Adams knows this problem all too well. She is among the 1,800 students who have a disability, and is part of the 250 who use wheel chairs, walkers, or crutches.
During the blackout Adams was in the Math and Science building and became stranded downstairs when the elevator became unstable.
“I don’t understand why this particular building doesn’t have some sort of ramp for the downstairs portion of the building, and I don’t understand why there isn’t a set plan in place to deal with the problem of blackouts” said Adams, “If other buildings on campus can use ramps like that, why can’t the Math and Science building use them as well?”
Robin Holleman, another student who uses a wheel chair, was also trapped in the Math and Science building and expressed the same frustration as Adams, but was more concerned about the impact it would have on getting around.
“I was in math class when the lights went out and all I could think was that it was going to take forever to get my things togethe. This whole thing is just a big inconvenience,” Holleman said. She told fellow students when the blackout occured, “just wait and see how long this will take.”
The Fresno Fire Department came to extract Holleman, Adams, as well as other students who had become stuck in buildings all over FCC.
First up was Adams, who had to be lifted by fireman up a flight of stairs and then wait for her wheelchair to be brought up.
First she had to re-adjust her seat, and then came the tedious task of re-applying all her belongs to her wheelchair.
By the time she finished gathering all her belongs Holleman, accompanied by the same four firemen that took Adams up the stairs, had made her way up and began the same cycle that Adams had just completed.
“See what I mean,” Adams told the students.
“I can understand why students would have these gripes, and I understand that some of the ramps on campus may be tedious to maneuver,” said Janice Emerzian, the Director of the State Center Community College District Disabled Students Programs and Services, “But all of the buildings here at FCC are up to date with the current codes and all buildings have adequate accommodations for students who use wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches.”
In all the commotion of both the blackouts here at FCC, the use of ramps have proved to be a viable tool that FCC couldn’t do without.
“They make it much easier to get around here under normal situations,” said Adams, “But we students are still faced with a problem when it comes to situations like this one. I don’t know if there is a plan in place or not, but if there is I would have to say that they need a better one.”
“We have submitted a safety plan that is supported by the Fire Department,” said Janice Emerzian, “but as far as making, creating, and implementing a plan, that is left up to Michael Guerra.”
Michael Guerra had no comment on the matter, and as of now, no known plan has been implemented.
FCC President Dr. Ned Doffney has said that ensuring the safe evacuation of disabled students is a number-one priority.