Sept. 29 event to focus campus community on safety awareness

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – In conjunction with September’s National Preparedness Month, Purdue University will host an event Sept. 29 to promote safety awareness on campus.

Purdue’s sixth annual safety day is scheduled for 2:30-4:30 p.m. around the circle drive on the north side of the France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center. The event is aimed at educating students and the rest of the university community on the resources available to them, both on campus and in Greater Lafayette. If there is inclement weather, the event will be canceled.

“Hoping that they never need them, our goal is to make students and the rest of the campus community aware of the many situational resources available to them,” said Jefferson Howells, assistant director of Purdue Emergency Preparedness and Planning. “We also want students to think now about safety measures they can take on their own – everything from never walking alone at night, securing personal belongings and fire prevention.”

Informational booths and attractions by Purdue agencies and organizations include:

* Purdue Police Department - Safe Walk, bicycle registration, police K-9 demonstrations, and an informational storyboard.

* Purdue Fire Department - A command vehicle and mobile command center will be on site.

* Purdue Radiological & Environmental Management Department– An informational display.

* Purdue Emergency Preparedness Office – An informational display.

* Purdue Residence Halls – An informational display.

* France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center – Information promoting CPR/lifeguarding classes, athletic trainers and the Learn to Swim program.

Agencies and organizations from the Greater Lafayette community that will participate include:

* Tippecanoe County Chapter of the American Red Cross – Red Cross tent and vehicle.

* Tippecanoe County Health Department – An informational display.

* Tippecanoe County Emergency Management Agency– Mobile operations center vehicle.

* Subaru of Indiana Automotive – A drunken-driving simulator.

Also on Sept. 29, Purdue's Office of Emergency Preparedness and Planning will conduct a 10 a.m. test of the emergency notification system. The test will include all layers of Purdue Alert, including sirens, unless inclement weather causes the sirens portion to be canceled.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up for emergency text alerts. For information on Purdue safety measures and procedures, go to the Purdue Emergency Preparedness (EP) Office website.

National Preparedness Month is intended to prompt people to take action now, before a potentially dangerous situation, to stay safe and communicate. The month ends Sept. 30 with National PrepareAthon Day.

Writer: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu

Source: Jefferson Howells, 765-494-9269, jfhowells@purdue.edu