A Seven Alarm Night

A few nights ago, I awoke at 3:38am to a noise.  I thought it might be an alarm, but it sounded more like that high-pitched whirring sound you here inside a house when the outdoor hose is on.  Laura had also awaken and as I got up to discern the source of the noise, I recommended Mrs. "better safe than sorry" ought to put some warm clothes on in the event we had to evacuate.  She never opened her eyes, let alone moved from the bed.  So much for walking the walk.

So I proceeded to walk out our front door into the hallway and no longer heard the "alarm".  Must not be our building.  I walked out the back door onto the balcony outside, definitely was a fire alarm.  I felt bad for the suckers in the building across the street that were going to have to stand out in the cold .... then I walked around the corner of our balcony.  Low and behold it was the fire alarm for our building.  One little bell going off literally 15 feet from our bed just outside our window.

Now I'm no fire marshall, but a "fire alarm" that's indiscernible through a window from 15 feet seems a bit inadequate for two twenty-something story towers.  Came back inside, told LT it was our fire alarm ... still no movement ... and proceeded out to the lobby to see what the deal was.  No surprise, I'm the only resident in the place to make an appearance.  The conversation between me and the concierge:

Me: Do we need to evacuate?

Concierge: What floor are you on?

Me: This floor.  We live right there (pointing at our condo out the window).

Concierge: You're not from the 5th floor?

Me: No.

Concierge: Is there a PA announcement in your room?

Me: No.

Firemen show up and disappear with the concierge into a room for about 5 minutes while I stand there.  Seems like some action should be taking place.  Then the firemen and concierge walk by me mentioning the 5th floor and proceed to the ELEVATORS!!!

Again, not a fire marshall, but are you kidding me!?!   After stop, drop, and roll, isn't "Take the stairs!" the next thing you learn in firefighting school?

The alarm went silent 5 minutes later and I went back to bed.  Laura was still there.  It was about 4:00am.  LT's alarm went off at 4:15am.  Don't ask me why she gets up this early.  But this morning, it also went off at 4:20am, 4:25am, and finally 4:30am.  Then mine went off at 5:57am, and 6:07am.  I should have just stayed up.