They're the ones that show up when a piercing alarm wakes up an entire dorm and forces half−awake residents out into the cold, and they're the ones who respond when there is an actual fire or crime. Most inhabitants of Tufts' Medford/Somerville campus could go an entire four years without knowing the names of the members of the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) who keep them safe. As Carmichael Dining Hall Unit Manager David Kelley has found, this problem — as with most other things — can be solved with chili.
In a coordinated effort to put a personal spin on the relationship between students and the local firefighters and police officers who serve the campus, Carmichael tomorrow will host local public safety officers, alongside the students they protect, over hearty bowls of homemade chili: In honor of October's "National Fire Prevention and Public Safety Month," the annual Station House Chili Fest is back.
The Chili Fest's humble beginnings go back to 10 years ago when the idea for a chili night in the dining hall coincided with the October celebration of public safety, according to Kelley, one of the pioneers of the event. In the wake of the events of Sept. 11, both Kelley and Bill Carbone, who also played a significant role in the development of the event, felt the need to modify the event's purpose.
"Our intent back in 2002 was to honor the local heroes, to thank them for coming in and being there when they're needed, and to invite them up for a non−emergency event," Kelley said.
Originally intended for just the local fire departments, the event has expanded to incorporate the police and public safety officers as well.
Tufts' Fire Marshal Wayne Springer said he appreciates the chance to thank the local communities that go above and beyond the expectation of routine responses in order to support the campus.
"We work directly with the fire prevention offices in Somerville and Medford," Springer said. "The cooperation between those offices and our office is excellent."
Aside from recognizing National Fire Prevention and Public Safety Month on campus, the Chili Fest also serves the purpose of providing students with the opportunity to approach the men and women of Tufts' local emergency response units to converse and ask any questions, Kelley said. Carmichael's low−key setting is accommodating for these officials to promote fire and public safety, he noted.
In addition to speaking with students, the firefighters and police officers have in past years set up displays to raise awareness for both security purposes and fire prevention. Showcasing household appliances that have caused fires is particularly helpful in starting a dialogue, Springer said.
"Some of them are very interesting and it's a good topic of conversation," he said.
The event provides a venue for students to interact with the officers in a calm, neutral setting in a departure from the tense atmosphere of emergency situations.
"We don't see people until something goes wrong," Linda D'Andrea, an officer in the Crime Prevention and Investigative Services Unit at Tufts, said. "This is our chance to have a positive interaction with [students], as opposed to when responding to an incident."
Springer said that in past years of the event, he has appreciated the opportunity to interact with students in a more social environment, stressing that his department wishes to increase the visibility of its office and staff.
"Students see us and know who we are, and they can put a face with the title," he said.
Last year, nearly 200 firefighters and police officers made an appearance at different times throughout the lunch period at Carmichael. Joining them were about 850 students, roughly 250 more than on an average afternoon.
Despite growing attendance in past years, many students may be hesitant to initiate a dialogue with the officials. "I think there is this barrier behind a uniform that a lot of students are pushed away from," Emmett Mercer, a junior, said.
"I think for a lot of students, especially with the police officers, it's ‘that's the guy who broke up my party last weekend,'" Mercer said.
"It is important for us to really put ourselves out there as Tufts students and say that we really appreciate what [they] do and that [we are] interested in who [they] are," Mercer continued.
At this year's Station House Chili Fest, public safety departments and students alike can enjoy a lunch featuring items centered on a fire theme. Included on the menu are a number of chili dishes, burgers, sandwiches and other hot, fiery options.
Kelley said the Station House Chili Fest represents Tufts' recognition of the dedication of local fire and police departments, while providing an opportunity for the campus as a whole to express gratitude and discuss relevant issues.
"Just stop by," Kelley said. "Come in, speak with them or just say hi. The guys are there 24/7 doing the best they can, and [this] is just a little thank you for them."
