Power and operations in the Sam Rayburn Memorial Student Center and Business Administration building were interrupted on Thursday, Jan. 17, due to a small electrical fire.
According to Executive Director of Marketing Communications, Randy Jolly, a water pipe burst in the basement of the MSC Thursday morning, and the water flooded the area where the electrical panels were. As a result, the panels shorted out and exploded, causing a minor fire.
There were no injuries, and the damage estimates to the MSC were not available. Jolly explained why the power in both the MSC and BA buildings were shut off.
“Power was shut off at the MSC immediately, and since the BA building shares the same power source, that building lost power as well,” Jolly said.
With the loss of power to the MSC and BA, people were evacuated to the Field House, as temperatures nosedived to some of the coldest so far this year. Power was restored to the BA building during the early afternoon on Thursday, and to the MSC during the day on Friday.
One of the major concerns during the power outage dealt with students utilizing University meal plans, and how their meals would be provided.
During the day Thursday, those with meal plans were provided with sandwiches for lunch in the Field House.
Thursday evening for dinner, meals were again provided at the Field House. When the MSC was reopened on Friday, students with meal plans were able to use the cafeteria once again.
Texas A&M University-Commerce University Police Department responded to the MSC within minutes of a call being received, that someone smelled smoke in the MSC. Commerce Fire Department responded to the MSC and quickly contained the small fire.
“There is very close cooperation with the UPD, Commerce Police and Fire Departments and the University’s facilities management team,” Jolly said.
UPD Chief Donna Spinato agreed with Jolly’s assessment of the cooperation and relationship between University and outside first responders.
“The relationship and response with the outside first responders was outstanding, all did a great job and we are very appreciative of their continued services to our university community,” Spinato said. “It takes great teamwork in such efforts and they continue to do a great job.”
Throughout the day Thursday, the A&M-C Web site was updated with information regarding the closure of the MSC and BA buildings, as well as what students with meal plans should do for their meals. KETR, the A&M-C radio station also updated Commerce throughout the day with the situation.
Using KETR and the Web site for updates was helpful to UPD because it alleviated a larger call volume than normal, however people still overwhelmed UPD with calls.
“UPD was swamped with phone calls … at one point we began to get concerned that the curious people would actually endanger other’s lives,” UPD Crime Information Officer Lt. Jason Bone said. “We were afraid the phone lines would be tied up answering questions and someone with an emergency couldn’t get through. That did not happen, but it was a real concern for a while.”
Many students weren’t aware of the closure of the MSC and BA until PAWS alerts and e-mails were sent out to the 5,000 students and faculty signed up for the PAWS program.
According to UPD Crime Information Officer Lt. Jason Bone, several lessons were learned as a result of using PAWS. Text messages and e-mail messages to myLeo accounts were sent out to those signed up for PAWS alerts. However, the time it took for people to receive those alerts was instantaneous for some, while it took several hours for others to receive alerts.
While the PAWS alert system may have had a few issues, it has been a good way for those on campus to stay informed in the event of an emergency.
“We would like for students to know that this is a wonderful service that will provide critical information in a crisis situation and that it should prove beneficial to them. If they have not already signed up we encourage them to do so,” Spinato said.
In order for students and faculty to receive PAWS alerts during future situations, those interested need to sign up for the alert system through myLeo. For those that do not have a myLeo account, contact CTIS at 903-468-6000.