If you’re a resident Moravian student, you probably know the pain of the fire alarm going off at midnight. And ten at night. And five in the evening. Or maybe even nine in the morning!

I think most of us can agree that the fire alarm goes off somewhere on campus a lot. Like all the dang time. We’re too familiar with the sounds of sirens as they grow closer and closer to campus. 

It’s honestly gotten ridiculous at some points. Last year, I lived in the Townhouses and the fire alarm went off three times in two days. Two of them were when I had already snuggled up in bed. No joke.

And on this journey with us are the wonderful folks at the Bethlehem Fire Department, specifically Memorial Fire Station on W. Broad St., who typically respond to calls from North Campus. 

I first want to thank them for what they do for the City of Bethlehem and its residents. Their work does not go unnoticed. 

Secondly, I want to thank the BFD for putting up with us, resident Moravian students, and for keeping us safe. 

It can’t be easy responding to the same place multiple times a week (sometimes multiple times a day) because some college student burnt their chicken. As annoying as it is for us, I can only imagine how annoying it is to them. 

But, of course, they always show up and do their jobs. They come in the pouring rain, the snow, and the freezing cold. They come with all their gear ready to deal with a real fire, only to usually turn off the alarm and tell us it’s okay to go back inside. But again, their work does not go unnoticed.  

For this, I am grateful. I know that if there’s ever an actual fire, they’ll do a great job. 

So, I’m going to leave you with some advice I overheard a Bethlehem firefighter giving someone else: open your windows, use the fan, use more oil, and lower the heat.

If we truly want to thank the Bethlehem Fire Department for all they’ve done for us, let’s start by trying to set off the fire alarm less often.