Purdue University Executive Memoranda Master Listing

 

PURDUE UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND TREASURER
MEMORANDUM NO. A-26 (Revised)
(Supersedes A-26 dated April 24, 1975)
(Superseded by C-35 dated December 12, 1994)

March 31, 1977

To: Deans, Directors and Heads of Schools, Divisions, Departments, and Offices

Re: Tornado Safety Policies and Procedures for the West Lafayette Campus

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The possibility of tornado activity in this area has always been present. However, the April 3, 1974 and March 20, 1976 tornadoes, which caused extensive damage in nearby communities, emphasized the need for the issuance of tornado safety procedures for the University. The following information and instructions are presented as safety guidelines for the University community. Please review them with the members of your staff so they will know what to do if we are faced with tornado activity:

1. Familiarize yourself with the siren and other warning systems used on the campus and in the cities.

   1. Single siren tone for three to five minutes signals a "Tornado Warning" and means "Take Cover."

   2. A voice message will be broadcast over WBAA and the University Residence Halls Television Antennae System.

   3. Class bells will be rung intermittently for three to five minutes to indicate a "Tornado Warning."

   The sirens will be activated when a "Tornado Warning" has been issued by the Weather Bureau for Tippecanoe County or a tornado has been sighted and poses a threat to the area.

   When a tornado warning has been canceled, an announcement will be made over the television cable system and a special paging network to residence hall offices. In addition, a series of 4 three-second signals will be sounded on the class bells. Also, local radio and television stations will announce the "All Clear. "

   The "Tornado Warning" sirens will be tested at 12:00 noon on the first Friday of every month.

2. Be familiar with the terminology used on weather bulletins broadcast by radio and television stations.
   1. A "Tornado Watch" is issued when atmospheric conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes in a given area. Under these conditions keep yourself informed by listening to radio or television.

   2. A "Tornado Warning" indicates that a tornado has been sighted and poses a definite threat to a given area.

3. When the "Tornado Warning" is issued, the following activities should be interrupted and the indicated safeguards initiated immediately. You may have only a few minutes in which to act.
   1. Classes should cease immediately. Students and faculty should shut off lab equipment for which they are responsible and proceed to the closest safe area as described in Section 4 of this memorandum.

   2. All University business and activities except for emergency services will terminate. Students, staff and faculty should proceed to the closest sheltered area until the warning expires.

   3. All normal activities in University Residence Halls will cease. The building occupants should proceed to safe areas as described below.

4. In seeking a safe area you should:
   1. Proceed to the basement of any building that has a basement or to the subwalk connecting the Purdue Memorial Union, Krannert Building, and the Grant Street Parking Garage. Position yourself in the safest portion of the basement (generally the southwest area) away from any glass. Be prepared to kneel facing a wall and cover your head.

   2. In high-rise (four stories or more) buildings, vacate the top floor and move to a lower floor or to the basement. Position yourself in an interior corridor away from glass. Be prepared to kneel facing the wall and cover your head.

   3. Occupants of wood-frame buildings or brick buildings with wood floors should leave the building and go directly to a more substantial concrete building, preferably with a basement.

   4. Alternate shelter areas are the basement floors of Purdue Memorial Union, Stewart Center, Mathematical Science and Residence Halls, (except Terry and Fowler Courts).

 

F. R. Ford
Executive Vice President and Treasurer