[BNC-all] Prepare to save lives in severe weather

[Anthrop, Heather L]

[Purdue University]

To:       Executive Vice Presidents, Chancellors, Vice Presidents, Vice Chancellors, Vice Provosts, Deans,
            Directors and Heads of Schools, Divisions and Offices

Fr:        Deba Dutta, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
            Bill Sullivan, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Re:       Prepare to save lives in severe weather

Date:    March 13, 2015

  *   Did you know that Tippecanoe County has more tornado touchdowns on average than any other county in the state?  Did you know that an EF4 or EF5 tornado tearing through the Purdue campus could cause catastrophic building damage and loss of life?
  *   Did you know that the same outdoor alert sirens used for tornados may also signal a hazardous materials release that could be harmful to humans?
  *   Did you know that the outdoor alert sirens could also be used to warn of an active crime such as a shooting incident in progress on campus?

As Boilermakers we all share the responsibility to help spread campus awareness about when and how to protect ourselves if any of these three scenarios happen here at Purdue.

On Thursday, March 19 at approximately 10:15 AM & 7:35 PM, the state will conduct its annual Tornado Drill as part of Indiana’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week.  In conjunction with the state’s drill, Purdue will conduct a voluntary campus wide tornado warning drill to help the Purdue family prepare for this type of emergency.  The purpose of the drill is for all of us to think about and implement best practices, so that if and when something happens we are better prepared to take the necessary action to protect ourselves.  The information below includes several steps we urge you to take that day.

Thank you in advance for participating in this drill and involving your students and colleagues.  Your actions may well lead to a life saved when lessons learned that day are applied to an emergency situation in the future.

Classroom Preparations

In preparation for the drill, we ask faculty and teaching assistants to take the following steps to ensure students and classes are prepared:


  1.  Since the drill is occurring during Spring Break, take a few minutes of class time when the students return to review the meaning of the outdoor all-hazards emergency warning sirens (shelter in place) and fire alarms (evacuate) at Purdue.  Remind your students and colleagues that the sirens on Purdue’s campus mean dangerous circumstances outside, not only tornado warnings.  These situations could include severe weather, an active criminal incident, or a major hazardous chemical release.
2.    Let students know that wherever they may be when the outdoor warning sirens are sounded that they should remain indoors, and seek shelter:
      a.  On the lowest floor of the building away from glass (Tornado Warning).
      b.  In a room that can be locked, barricaded, or secured in some way (life threatening incident such as a shooting.)
      c.  In an interior room above ground with the fewest windows or vents (Hazardous Materials incident.)

  1.  Point students to sources of emergency information.  Urge them to sign up for Purdue Alert (they can do that right there in the classroom if they can get a cell phone or network signal).  Text message sign up procedures can be found on the Emergency Preparedness website:  http://www.purdue.edu/ehps/emergency_preparedness/.
  2.  Be a role model.  Practice these emergency procedures yourself.  Your actions speak as loudly as your words!

Additional Sources of Information

You should find posted information in classrooms.  If you do not find it posted, ask the building deputy to post.  Building specific information is found in the Building Emergency Plan (BEP).  All Building Emergency Plans are located on the Emergency Preparedness website.

Purdue Emergency Preparedness website: http://www.purdue.edu/ehps/emergency_preparedness/  includes additional YouTube videos, the Purdue Emergency Procedures Guide (EPG) http://www.purdue.edu/ehps/emergency_preparedness/flipchart/index.html and other useful resources.  We encourage all faculty and staff to review both the Emergency Procedures Guide and Building Emergency Plan (for each building where you teach and work) for emergency response procedures.  This EPG is also available as a free app in the Purdue iPhone/iPad app.

Updates and emergency information about specific warnings and incidents will be posted on Purdue’s Campus Status page.  www.purdue.edu/ea<http://www.purdue.edu/ea>

In addition to email, text, Twitter, desktop popup, and alert beacon alerts, the BoilerTV network will normally broadcast emergency alerts as soon as they are issued.

If you have questions, please contact Ron Wright, rdwright at purdue.edu<mailto:rdwright at purdue.edu>.
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