SEVERE WEATHER EMERGENCY PLAN

The following plan establishes the procedures for University students, staff, and guest to follow in the event that the Pittsburg area experiences severe weather conditions.

NOTIFICATION AND RESPONSIBILITY

For the purpose of clarity, the National Weather Service uses the following terms to alert the public to "weather conditions which, may or already have produced tornados."

Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Weather conditions exist which could produce thunderstorms in the area. These storms can produce a tornado.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning: A severe thunderstorm has been observed and is moving toward the area.

Tornado Watch: Weather conditions are such that a tornado could develop in the area.

Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted and is moving toward the area.

When notification of a severe weather watch/warning is received from the National Weather Service the University Police dispatcher will immediately put the severe weather plan in effect by calling key departments.  The Office of the President and the Vice Presidents will be responsible for communicating key information to students, staff, and guest in their administrative areas according to their established mechanisms of official communication.

All building leaders/coordinators, departmental heads, directors and supervisors shall familiarize their staff with key terms in this emergency plan.  In addition they shall discuss this emergency plan with their staff at the beginning of each academic year, and with new personnel upon beginning work.  All university staff are urged to become familiar with the characteristics of their respective buildings so they can better promote the safety of all students, staff, and guest, should severe weather conditions occur.

During uncertain weather conditions, it is not always prudent or necessary to wait until formal notification of impending danger. If you observe any severe weather conditions, report your observations to university authorities and seek shelter. (Link CAMPUS EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS MAP)

PROCEDURE

1.   The following procedures are to be observed during severe weather warnings.

     a.   Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Sirens will not sound. Designated personnel should monitor the situation if uncertainty exists regarding weather conditions (via Radio, Television, etc.).  All building personnel should be alert for damaging wind or hail. If the likelihood of damage exists, e.g., glass breakage, staff and building users should evacuate the areas of danger and seek a protected inner hallway which does not have exposed windows and/or a safer area.

      b.   Tornado Warning: City controlled tornado sirens will sound if it appears that a tornado is imminent.  Everyone should go to lower floors of the building, and/or protected interior hallways, or a safer area.  When possible, building leaders or designated personnel shall utilize available staff to occupy "key locations" (stairwells, doors, etc.) and guide people to a safer area. Large open areas with wide roof spans such as auditoriums, gymnasiums, cafeterias and ballrooms must be checked and cleared of people.  People should not seek shelter in laboratories, or areas which contain hazardous substances.

c.   If Areas Are Evacuated: Where applicable, employees are instructed to secure all monies, lock all cash registers and secure backup diskettes and valuables unless doing so would jeopardize their safety.  Designated personnel on duty shall assist with directing building users to safer areas.

d.   Persons with Physical Disabilities: When necessary, building/facility personnel shall assist disabled persons to a safer area. Remember to alert hearing and sensory-impaired persons of alarms and provide guidance to safer areas.

e.   Regardless of when the warning occurs, all persons should remain under cover until the all clear is given by local radio stations, the National Weather Service Radio System, Police or other official sources of information.  Sirens are not used for an all clear signal and will only be used when a tornado warning is issued.

2.   If Damage is Observed after the all clear is given, the staff members in charge should observe the following procedures:

a.   If it is an emergency on campus, call 911, University Police emergency number. Other emergency related agencies can either be called directly or via University Police.

      b.   If damage to the building leaves the area uninhabitable, emergency personnel will close the area and cancel functions until further notice.

3.   In the Event Personal Injury Occurs as a result of severe weather, the following procedures should be observed:

      a.   Call University Police Emergency Number 911. Advise the dispatcher of the location and extent of any injuries. Specific information regarding injury’s such as respiratory or cardiac failure and/or severe bleeding should be reported.

b.   Normal emergency first aid procedures should be followed by qualified personnel. Posters listing what to do in case of "Medical Emergency" should be conspicuously and permanently posted at various places in each building.  (LINK “INJURY OR ILLNESS”).

c.   If a telephone is not available, someone should be sent to a working telephone to report any injuries. If possible, this person should be a police officer or staff member.

d.   DO NOT RETURN TO A BUILDING ONCE EVACUATED, unless told to do so by a University official or emergency personnel.

(JULY 2008)