Purdue to test sirens, offer training for severe weather preparedness
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - As spring approaches, Purdue emergency preparedness officials urge the campus community to review the university's severe weather procedures and know their shelter-in-place locations.
In conjunction with national Severe Weather Awareness Week on March 14-20 and statewide tests of communications systems, Purdue will test its all-hazards warning sirens and offer free tornado awareness training sessions beginning Friday, March 5.
The Tippecanoe County Emergency Management Agency will sound the sirens between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and again between 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. on March 17. The tests' objectives are to ensure sirens are operational, allow the community to hear what they sound like, and emphasize the need to prepare responses during both daytime and evening hours. If there is a threat of actual severe weather during that day, the tests will be postponed.
"It is also important to note that the 'all-hazards' sirens can be activated on the West Lafayette campus for an incident other than a tornado warning," said Ron Wright, director of university emergency preparedness. "The all-hazards sirens might also be activated in response to a hazardous materials situation, a civil disturbance such as an active shooter on campus, or when police or fire department officials determine that the Purdue community should shelter in place.
"The key phrase here is 'shelter in place.' I also want to note that the sirens are not designed to be heard inside every building, so don't be alarmed if you don't notice them. However, we also are offering to provide at least one free NOAA all-hazards alert weather radio per building to be installed in key locations."
The weather radio provides an automatic alert system. Building deputies may request one by contacting the Emergency Preparedness Office at 765-494-0446 or via e-mail to Wright at rdwright@purdue.edu.
Each Purdue building also has a building emergency plan that provides specific evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures, and the awareness week provides an opportunity to review those plans, Wright said. The plan is normally developed and maintained by the building deputy or the Building Safety Committee.
Training sessions are scheduled for 1:30-2:30 p.m. March 5 and 12 as well as on April 2 in the Terry Memorial Conference Room at the Purdue Police Department. The training, offered through the university's Emergency Preparedness and Planning Office, will be facilitated by Purdue fire safety specialist Tom Cooper and is open to faculty, staff and students. The training is designed to provide tornado awareness information and recommended response actions during and after an incident. Those interested in attending one of the sessions should contact Mary Stair at 765-494-1424.
Cooper also is available to speak in campus offices or departments. For more information, contact him at 765-494-1432, tncooper@purdue.edu.
Information about preparing for severe weather is available from the Purdue home page weather link or at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/weather.html
The Web page provides links to awareness pointers and information about recommended emergency kits.
Writer: Jeanne Norberg, 765-494-2084, jnorberg@purdue.edu
Source: Ron Wright, 765-494-0446, rdwright@purdue.edu