Severe Weather Exercises Frequently Asked Questions Missouri State University Department Safety and Transportation.

Severe Weather Severe Weather ExercisesExercises

Frequently Asked Frequently Asked QuestionsQuestions

Missouri State UniversityMissouri State University

Department Safety and Department Safety and TransportationTransportation

1. Why does MSU conduct a severe 1. Why does MSU conduct a severe storm exercise? Do we really need to storm exercise? Do we really need to

participate?participate?

The threat of an actual severe storm on The threat of an actual severe storm on campus is campus is VERY REALVERY REAL. The likelihood of . The likelihood of physical injuries or casualties physical injuries or casualties ARE VERY ARE VERY REALREAL. Exercises are done to help those on . Exercises are done to help those on campus to prepare for this dangerous threat.campus to prepare for this dangerous threat.

Yes. You should participate by learning where Yes. You should participate by learning where the shelter areas are in the buildings in which the shelter areas are in the buildings in which you will be. We suggest you do weather you will be. We suggest you do weather related “What if” scenarios. Ask yourself, related “What if” scenarios. Ask yourself, “What WOULD I do if a tornado hit campus “What WOULD I do if a tornado hit campus today?”today?”

2. When are the storm exercises 2. When are the storm exercises scheduled?scheduled?

The storm sirens are tested on the 2The storm sirens are tested on the 2ndnd Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. If inclement weather prevents the test, it is If inclement weather prevents the test, it is postponed to the following week.postponed to the following week.

The State Emergency Management The State Emergency Management Agency in Jefferson City conducts an Agency in Jefferson City conducts an annual statewide severe weather exercise annual statewide severe weather exercise each March. The exact date is determined each March. The exact date is determined in January of each year.in January of each year.

3. Why are the sirens tested 3. Why are the sirens tested monthly?monthly?

This is done to make sure the system This is done to make sure the system is fully operational. If problems are is fully operational. If problems are identified, they are repaired as soon identified, they are repaired as soon as possible.as possible.

4. Why does MSU have its own 4. Why does MSU have its own sirens when the city has them?sirens when the city has them?

The campus outdoor sirens handles the The campus outdoor sirens handles the core of the campus while the city sirens core of the campus while the city sirens are on the exterior boundaries of campus. are on the exterior boundaries of campus. One system naturally backs up the other One system naturally backs up the other when the other would fail to activate. On when the other would fail to activate. On occasion, the campus siren system has occasion, the campus siren system has actually and successfully provided back up actually and successfully provided back up the city’s sirens that have failed in the the city’s sirens that have failed in the boundary areas.boundary areas.

5. When the sirens stop, does 5. When the sirens stop, does that mean the warning is over?that mean the warning is over?

No. Absolutely NOT! The outdoor No. Absolutely NOT! The outdoor sirens run a three minute cycle then sirens run a three minute cycle then shuts down to cool before re-shuts down to cool before re-activated again.activated again.

6. During the exercise and the siren 6. During the exercise and the siren stops, does that mean the exercise is stops, does that mean the exercise is

over?over?

No. The sirens run a three minute No. The sirens run a three minute cycle. Continue with your evacuation cycle. Continue with your evacuation to your place of safety. Once to your place of safety. Once everyone is accounted for, you may everyone is accounted for, you may be released by the building be released by the building coordinator to return to your class.coordinator to return to your class.

7.7. The dining hall is full of people The dining hall is full of people during the exercise time. during the exercise time.

What do we do?What do we do?

If a tornado hit at that moment, just If a tornado hit at that moment, just WHAT WOULD YOU DO? WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

This is the very reason we participate This is the very reason we participate in these exercises, to help you in these exercises, to help you prepare for such emergency.prepare for such emergency.

8. Is it possible to extend the 8. Is it possible to extend the exercise?exercise?

Continue with your evacuation to Continue with your evacuation to your place of safety. Once everyone your place of safety. Once everyone is accounted for, you may be is accounted for, you may be released by the building coordinator released by the building coordinator to return to your class or activity.to return to your class or activity.

9. Why isn’t there an “all clear”?9. Why isn’t there an “all clear”?

Normally, an “all clear” isn’t given due to the Normally, an “all clear” isn’t given due to the possibility of a second strike within a “watch area”. possibility of a second strike within a “watch area”. Persons that survived an initial tornado hit have Persons that survived an initial tornado hit have been killed by an unsuspecting second tornado hit. been killed by an unsuspecting second tornado hit.

Tornados are unpredictable in their travel paths. Tornados are unpredictable in their travel paths. They can hit anywhere, at anytime. The NWS will They can hit anywhere, at anytime. The NWS will sometimes broadcast the length of the warning. sometimes broadcast the length of the warning. Many times, the warning length is extended due to Many times, the warning length is extended due to remaining severe weather conditions in the watch remaining severe weather conditions in the watch area.area.

As for the exercise, it continues until the building As for the exercise, it continues until the building coordinator and their designees complete their coordinator and their designees complete their tasks. This may take a couple of minutes or maybe tasks. This may take a couple of minutes or maybe fifteen minutes. When this is done, you may return fifteen minutes. When this is done, you may return to your class or other activities.to your class or other activities.

10. Why can’t we hear the 10. Why can’t we hear the outdoor sirens inside the outdoor sirens inside the

buildings?buildings? The outdoor sirens ARE NOT designed to be heard The outdoor sirens ARE NOT designed to be heard

inside the buildings. They’re intended to alert those inside the buildings. They’re intended to alert those outside to seek shelter immediately out of harms way.outside to seek shelter immediately out of harms way.

If the siren is sounding, there’s a very good chance, If the siren is sounding, there’s a very good chance, you’re going to know it in short time. How? Persons you’re going to know it in short time. How? Persons entering the building for shelter should be key reason entering the building for shelter should be key reason for you to see what’s going on. Every effort has been for you to see what’s going on. Every effort has been made to place a Weather Alert Radio in each building made to place a Weather Alert Radio in each building where it can be monitored by the building where it can be monitored by the building coordinators and their staff. Building coordinators coordinators and their staff. Building coordinators and their designees will be alerting occupants to seek and their designees will be alerting occupants to seek shelter. You should make certain you are a part of a shelter. You should make certain you are a part of a notification list.notification list.

11.11. Why don’t we have sirens Why don’t we have sirens INSIDE the buildings?INSIDE the buildings?

Having active sirens in a building could have serious Having active sirens in a building could have serious implications. Continuous or repetitive sounds such as a implications. Continuous or repetitive sounds such as a siren and or flashing lights could very likely trigger siren and or flashing lights could very likely trigger serious health problems (i.e. seizures, heart or anxiety serious health problems (i.e. seizures, heart or anxiety attacks, etc.) or escalate potentially dangerous attacks, etc.) or escalate potentially dangerous psychotic emotions in susceptible occupants which psychotic emotions in susceptible occupants which would increase the safety risk of others. Those persons would increase the safety risk of others. Those persons having been alerted to the danger and moved to a place having been alerted to the danger and moved to a place of safety, the inside siren would serve no other purpose.of safety, the inside siren would serve no other purpose.

The siren could mask or camouflage noises from the The siren could mask or camouflage noises from the storm or even the faint cry for help from someone storm or even the faint cry for help from someone injured by flying debris. Communication among the injured by flying debris. Communication among the occupants would be difficult if they had to shout over a occupants would be difficult if they had to shout over a deafening siren. The less noise in a building or shelter deafening siren. The less noise in a building or shelter area, the better. Silence is golden especially in the face area, the better. Silence is golden especially in the face of danger.of danger.

12.12. Who activates the storm Who activates the storm warning system?warning system?

Ultimately, the National Weather Service issues all Ultimately, the National Weather Service issues all weather statements for watches and warnings. While weather statements for watches and warnings. While the threat of severe weather exists, our the threat of severe weather exists, our Communications Center in the Department of Public Communications Center in the Department of Public Safety closely monitors several weather information Safety closely monitors several weather information resources. This includes but not limited to, local law resources. This includes but not limited to, local law enforcement agencies, The Weather Channel, NWS enforcement agencies, The Weather Channel, NWS Weather Alert Radio, local radar images via the Weather Alert Radio, local radar images via the internet, even the local radio and television stations.internet, even the local radio and television stations.

Once a warning is issued for our area, a weather Once a warning is issued for our area, a weather statement is broadcast to those using the MSU trunked statement is broadcast to those using the MSU trunked radio system. The outdoor sirens are then activated radio system. The outdoor sirens are then activated from the Public Safety Building at 636 E. Elm. We also from the Public Safety Building at 636 E. Elm. We also utilize the Missouri State Alert System. It too will be utilize the Missouri State Alert System. It too will be activated through the Public Safety Communications activated through the Public Safety Communications Center.Center.

13. Since we cannot hear the outdoor 13. Since we cannot hear the outdoor sirens, can we use the fire alarm sirens, can we use the fire alarm

speaker system for the alert?speaker system for the alert?

With the current fire control system, the With the current fire control system, the answer would be “No”. Activating a fire answer would be “No”. Activating a fire alarm system in a building would have the alarm system in a building would have the opposite effect on the building occupants. opposite effect on the building occupants. A fire alarm is an alert for occupants to A fire alarm is an alert for occupants to evacuate to a safe place outside the evacuate to a safe place outside the building.building.

14.14. What should I do if What should I do if a warning is issued?a warning is issued?

Immediately seek shelter near you.Immediately seek shelter near you.

15. Are straight-line winds 15. Are straight-line winds dangerous?dangerous?

Yes. Sometimes, they can be very Yes. Sometimes, they can be very dangerous and just as destructive and dangerous and just as destructive and deadly as a tornado. When these deadly as a tornado. When these dangerous winds are identified, the storm dangerous winds are identified, the storm warning system will be activated. You warning system will be activated. You should seek shelter immediately.should seek shelter immediately.

16.16. When should we leave When should we leave the shelter area?the shelter area?

During the exercise, the building coordinator will During the exercise, the building coordinator will release you to return to your classes or activity after release you to return to your classes or activity after they have completed their portion of the exercise.they have completed their portion of the exercise.

During an actual WARNING, you should remain in During an actual WARNING, you should remain in the shelter until it’s SAFE to leave. Follow your the shelter until it’s SAFE to leave. Follow your building coordinator’s instructions. They’re working building coordinator’s instructions. They’re working hard to keep occupants safe and informed of the hard to keep occupants safe and informed of the status of the severe weather. This could take a few status of the severe weather. This could take a few minutes to extended periods of time depending on minutes to extended periods of time depending on weather conditions. Upon leaving, use caution and weather conditions. Upon leaving, use caution and be prepared to return.be prepared to return.

17. Our building has been damaged. 17. Our building has been damaged. The storm appears to have passed and The storm appears to have passed and all is calm. But we are asked to remain all is calm. But we are asked to remain

in the shelter longer than seems in the shelter longer than seems necessary, why?necessary, why?

Buildings that suffer structural damage Buildings that suffer structural damage pose another whole set of problems. pose another whole set of problems. Caution should be used exiting the building Caution should be used exiting the building as there may be strong winds with flying as there may be strong winds with flying debris, lightning, downed power lines, debris, lightning, downed power lines, jagged glass, broken gas lines, downed jagged glass, broken gas lines, downed trees and other falling objects. Staying in trees and other falling objects. Staying in place may be the best option until a SAFE place may be the best option until a SAFE ROUTE is established by rescuers.ROUTE is established by rescuers.

18. What resources can we rely 18. What resources can we rely on for severe weather warnings?on for severe weather warnings?

There are several resources to consider. There are several resources to consider. Here are just a few:Here are just a few:

Local Radio and Television Stations.Local Radio and Television Stations. The Weather ChannelThe Weather Channel NWS Weather RadioNWS Weather Radio Outdoor SirensOutdoor Sirens Police ScannersPolice Scanners Subscribe to the Missouri State Alert System Subscribe to the Missouri State Alert System

located on Banner.located on Banner.

19. We need a Weather Alert 19. We need a Weather Alert Radio. Where can we get one?Radio. Where can we get one?

The NWS Weather Alert Radios can The NWS Weather Alert Radios can be purchased through the be purchased through the Department of Safety and Department of Safety and Transportation at cost or through any Transportation at cost or through any local electronics dealer.local electronics dealer.

Additional Information on Additional Information on Emergency Response and Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures Evacuation Procedures

The Emergency Response and Evacuation Plan The Emergency Response and Evacuation Plan establishes policies and procedures that will be establishes policies and procedures that will be employed when there exists the potential for an employed when there exists the potential for an emergency condition, such as severe weather; an emergency condition, such as severe weather; an emergency situation has or is occurring; or in any emergency situation has or is occurring; or in any situation where it is necessary and beneficial for situation where it is necessary and beneficial for the operations of MSU to be conducted out of a the operations of MSU to be conducted out of a single location.single location.

In order to ensure the various plans at MSU will In order to ensure the various plans at MSU will work in an emergency situation, MSU participates work in an emergency situation, MSU participates in drills and exercises that include campus in drills and exercises that include campus personnel as well as local, county and state personnel as well as local, county and state public safety agencies.public safety agencies.

Additional Information on Additional Information on Emergency Response and Emergency Response and

Evacuation ProceduresEvacuation Procedures The University has several procedures in place to The University has several procedures in place to

communicate with faculty, staff, students and communicate with faculty, staff, students and media regarding any emergency on campus and media regarding any emergency on campus and has established an emergency mass notification has established an emergency mass notification system known as the “Missouri State Alert”, on system known as the “Missouri State Alert”, on the Springfield and West Plains campuses.the Springfield and West Plains campuses.

Complete details about the Emergency Response Complete details about the Emergency Response

Plan and the Missouri State Alert System can be Plan and the Missouri State Alert System can be found at the following website address: found at the following website address: http://www.missouristate.edu/safetran/erp.htm.http://www.missouristate.edu/safetran/erp.htm.

Thank You For Your Thank You For Your ParticipationParticipation