(above) Members of the Summit Fire Department joined Alvaro Llanos and Shawn Simons for their assembly at Summit High School, “After the Fire.”
Summit Fire Department and High School Present the Assembly, “After the Fire”
On Thursday, May 24, 2019 the Summit Fire Department partnered with Summit High School and Shaping Summit Together to bring the assembly, After the Fire to our senior class.
After the Fire details the early morning hours of January 19, 2000, when the lives of thousands were changed as a result of a great tragedy. On the campus of Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, while most of the more than 600 freshman slept, an arson fire was started in the 3rd floor lounge of the 6-story freshmen residence hall, Boland Hall. As the fire alarms wailed, most students thought it was just another false fire alarm, like the 30 or more false alarms that sounded the semester before. No one had any idea that there was a real fire, let alone where the fire was or how to get out of harm’s way.
Alvaro Llanos and Shawn Simons, 18 year old roommates at the time, shared their story of survival, perseverance, inspiration, hope, courage and friendship. They inspire to motivate students and professionals that life will give you many obstacles. “It’s how you overcome those obstacles by drawing strength, knowledge and motivation from those around you.” With these tools in life’s endeavors they prove that there is life “After the Fire.”
In addition, Summit Fire Department was on hand with Deputy Chief, Donald Nelson, addressing the seniors with a fire safety talk as they head off to college and need to be mindful of living in the dorms, attending concerts, and visiting unfamiliar places. Chief Evers developed a Campus Safety flyer including fire safety tips for our seniors which was sent to all parents.
The program was funded by Shaping Summit Together.
Photo by Summit Public Schools
