Highrise fire response being questioned

New details are out about Twin Towers evacuations on 9-11 and that has many wondering about how best to escape Little Rock`s tallest buildings. The National Institute for Standards and Technology has been reviewing what happened in New York that fateful day. Findings released in a report today suggest that no one properly accounted for how long people might linger before leaving their offices in an emergency. Here in Little Rock, fire inspectors say they push quick departure in the few high rises that exist. In the Metropolitan building, drills have shown it would take the one to two thousand people who could be inside during business hours about 15 minutes to evacuate. That`s quick enough to save lives according to city experts. While many in New York were saved by taking the elevators to the ground floor, city crews discourage the practice here. They say being in stairwells with a 2-hour burn rating that also have special vents to eliminate smoke can double survival rates. For those with mobility issues, the rescue plan at Little Rock`s high rises involves meeting at freight elevator landings to be picked up by firefighters for rescue.