A fire drill stipulated under the Fire Service Act was conducted at Ohbaku International House. About eighty people participated in the drill, including foreign researchers and students residing there, the House's manager, and the International Affairs Division staff, as well as residents and the manager from the Uji International House.
The drill started at 10:00 a.m. on the supposition that a fire broke out in the building and triggered the fire alarm. Faculty staff members, including those on duty, reacted promptly, with some calling the fire station, while others announced the fire alarm over the overhead page system and some tried first-aid fire fighting or guiding the evacuees. All residents were evacuated and confirmed to be safe in eight minutes. Then, in front of all participants, Teruo Tokura (manager of international affairs), who also serves as the leader of the volunteer fire company, explained how they should be prepared for a disaster. The leader of Uji Higashi Fire Service Group also commented on the drill.
Later, participants got to experience a simulation of fire fighting using fire extinguishers and spraying water from indoor fire hydrants. The House's manager, Assistant Professor Yasuyuki Kano, who happens to be a specialist in earthquakes, also gave a mini-lecture on the mechanism of earthquakes and how to respond in the event of an earthquake in plain words easy for foreigners to also understand. The participants renewed their preparedness and awareness regarding fire and disaster prevention.
Similar fire drills will also be conducted at international houses in Misasagi and Shugakuin.
 Fire evacuation drill with the latest type of chemical fire engine |  House manager and his child, as well as foreign students, trying fire extinguishers |
 Foreign researchers and students trying fire extinguishers |  Mini-lecture on earthquakes by house manager Yasuyuki Kano |