Denying Entry Is Playing With Fire

I used to work the reception in a government building in Washington, DC. The security clearance for the building is so high that even the custodians have clearances. 

A fire marshal comes into the lobby, presents all his credentials, and says he’s here to do an inspection of the building. The two security guards manning the entry (metal detector, X-ray conveyor, etc.) deny him entry.

Fire Marshal: “You need to get your site security officer on the phone now.”

Security #1: *Laughs.* “That’s not happening, guy.”

Security #2: “I don’t think you realize what kind of building this is.”

Fire Marshal: “And I don’t think you realize what’s gonna happen if I have to make a phone call. When a Fire Marshal is here for an inspection, you are the escort or find an escort. Those are your options.”

They laugh again and call no one. So, the Fire Marshal steps outside and gets on the phone. I walk over to the security guys (who I am somewhat friendly with), and tell them:

Me: “Hey, fun fact, my grandpa was a Fire Marshal.”

Security #1: “Oh yeah?”

Me: “You know what he used to tell me? That there was no better way to make a Fire Marshal’s day than to deny them access or tell them you won’t comply. They LIVE for that s***.”

Security #2: *Smile dropping.* “Oh… yeah?”

Me: “Yeah. He would tell me how he enjoyed every moment of those denying him entry torn a new one because, and I might be paraphrasing here, but fire codes, like OSHA regs, are written in the blood of the fallen.”

Security #1: “…Oh.”

I smile and walk back behind the reception desk. The security guards are looking a little less sure of themselves now, but still don’t do anything. 

Within minutes, the outside of the building is all lights and sirens as the Chief Fire Marshal and U.S. Marshals are there. Every top official in the building had to be interrupted and called down to the lobby to deal with it.

I don’t know what happened after that day, but I never saw the security guys again.