February 21, 2008
Purdue to test its tornado preparedness on March 5
Purdue will participate in a statewide tornado drill on March 5, said Ron Wright, director of Campus Emergency Preparedness. The National Weather Service has designated March 2-8 Severe Weather Awareness Week.
The Tippecanoe County Emergency Management Agency will sound the all-hazards sirens in the county that morning and again in the evening. Specific times for the test have not yet been established.
Wright said the dual test gives people a chance to consider their response in daytime and evening locations. If that day has the threat of severe weather, the tests will be postponed.
Faculty, staff and students should review their severe weather response actions and make sure they have a plan, Wright said.
"The National Weather Service, Red Cross and Ready.gov Web sites are just a few locations that one can go to for severe weather information," he said. "All Purdue members should review this information and, most importantly, know their shelter in place locations."
Additionally, each Purdue building should have a Building Emergency Plan (BEP) that specifies evacuation and shelter in place procedures. This would be a perfect opportunity to review this critical information and prepare for the unexpected."
Wright said the drill has three objectives.
"First, it ensures the all-hazards sirens are operational," he said. "Secondly, it allows the community to hear the siren sound. Third, it emphasizes tornado awareness and the need to prepare."
It is also important to note that the sirens can be activated for an incident other than a tornado warning.
"The sirens also can be activated for a hazardous materials release, a civil disturbance such as an active shooter on campus, or when police/fire department officials need the Purdue community to shelter in place," Wrught said.
TRAINING SESSIONS
The Emergency Preparedness and Planning Office will hold tornado awareness training sessions from 9-10 a.m. on March 7, 14 and 21 in the Terry Memorial Conference Room in the Purdue Police Department building, 205 S. Martin Jischke Drive.
Tom Cooper, fire safety specialist at Purdue, will instruct students, faculty and staff on tornado awareness information, recommended response actions and what to do after a tornado. If you are interested in attending a session, contact Mary Stair at (765) 494-1424.
Cooper also will speak about tornado safety at a campus office or department. For more information, contact him at (765) 494-1432 or tncooper@purdue.edu.