SEVERE WEATHER/ ND ALERT PLAN November 2011 1
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UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME HEALTH SERVICES SEVERE WEATHER / ND ALERT PLAN Table of Contents Page Part Topic 5 1 Purpose 5 1.1 Severe Weather Alert 5 1.2 Tornado Watch 5 1.3 Tornado Warning 5 1.4 What to do if you hear a warning 6 1.5 Siren Tests 6 1..6 Evacuation considerations 6 1.7 Evacuation where persons should NOT leave the building 7 1.8 St. Liam Basement - available space for shelter 7 2. ND ALERT 8 2.1 http: emergency.nd.edu 8 2.2 Mass Notification System 8 2.3 Comcast cable override 3
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UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME HEALTH SERVICES TORNADO OR SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY PLAN 1. Purpose: In the event of severe weather or a Tornado, the following guidelines should be followed: 1.1 Severe Thunderstorm Watch A severe thunderstorm watch means that damaging winds and hail are expected. It often precedes the issuance of a tornado watch. 1.2 Tornado WATCH A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes. WATCHES may be issued frequently. Except for keeping informed via radio or television, they do not require immediate action. At Health Services, the highest level of authority will be responsible for assuring that weather alerts are monitored. 1.3 Tornado WARNING A TORNADO WARNING alert is received, either via Notre Dame Security, emergency sirens, or weather radio. When a tornado warning is issued by the National Weather Service, the St. Joseph County tornado warning system will activate the siren atop the North Dining Hall. For tornadoes, the siren issues a steady tone for three to five minutes. The siren will not issue an all clear. All clear signals are issued by the National Weather Service via radio and television announcements. 1.4 If you hear the warning: 1. If outside, immediately take shelter in the nearest substantial building. Avoid windows, large rooms, auditoriums or gymnasiums. 2. Evacuation where persons should NOT leave St. Liam Hall In case of evacuation where persons should NOT leave the facility such as a Tornado or other Severe Weather, an ND Alert. All should evacuate their areas to a safe space. a) NEVER USE ELEVATORS and remember you may be in total darkness. b) All employees, patients, and visitors, should go to the nearest safe area such as interior corridors away from windows or in the basement under the north wing of the building. Role should be taken to ensure that all who were known to be in the facility are accounted for. 5
c) Stairwells that go to the basement:! The North stairwell is by the doctor s offices and exam rooms, and on the second floor by the Inpatient/ observation area. The East stairwell is by the time clock and on the second floor near the conference room (224) d) As in the case of a fire, take into consideration the type of patients present at the time of the emergency. e) ND Security will issue an all clear message when it is time. 1.5 Siren Tests Tests are made at 11:30 a.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month and consist of a oneminute steady tone, one minute of silence and a one-minute wailing tone. 1.6 Evacuation Considerations Patient evacuation may be needed and may all into several categories: Conscious/Mobile - Can do for themselves 1. Walk them out (with or without assistance) 2. Be persuasive. Talk to and reassure them Immobile/Conscious - May be of some help. 1. If possible, without personal injury, use two persons to assist 2. Sheet or blanket drag. 3. Two-person carry. 4. Carry in chair. Immobile - Can be of no help 1. If possible, without personal injury, use two persons to assist 2. Sheet or blanket drag. 3. Two-person carry. 4. Carry in chair. Employ additional necessary help to move patient, especially down the stairs. With due care, stairways pose no problem in any of the above-mentioned methods; continue on down the stairway. 1.7 Evacuation where persons should NOT leave the building In case of evacuation where persons should NOT leave the facility such as a Tornado or other Severe Weather, an ND Alert. All should evacuate their areas to a safe space. 6
f) NEVER USE ELEVATORS and remember you may be in total darkness. g) All employees, patients, and visitors, should go to the nearest safe area such as interior corridors away from windows or in the basement under the north wing of the building. Role should be taken to ensure that all who were known to be in the facility are accounted for. h) Stairwells that go to the basement:! The North stairwell is by the doctor s offices and exam rooms, and on the second floor by the Inpatient/ observation area. The East stairwell is by the time clock and on the second floor near the conference room (224) i) As in the case of a fire, take into consideration the type of patients present at the time of the emergency. j) ND Security will issue an all clear message when it is time. 1.8 St. Liam Hall Basement - Available Space for Shelter Hallway with NO windows along B11 North wing stairwell Hallway under East wing has windows Please avoid. East wing stairwell Other areas have windows or are a very small area away from windows 2. ND Alert The University of Notre Dame has implemented ND Alert, a comprehensive emergency notification system, to communicate with campus constituents in the event of a major emergency. Components of ND Alert include the following: 7
2.1 http://emergency.nd.edu In the event of an emergency, the site will serve as the primary source of information about the nature of the incident, how to remain safe, and after the event, the point at which safety has been restored. 2.2 Mass Notification System The University notification system allows communication administrators to contact students and employees quickly through multiple electronic technologies. This leading-edge technology engages email, telephone, cell phone, and text messaging to inform the Notre Dame family about an emergency situation. To fully participate in this system, students, faculty, and staff need to provide the University with key contact information such as a cell phone number and an email address in addition to their Notre Dame email. Click here to access FAQs about submitting your emergency contact information and to learn more about the mass notification system. The Notre Dame Public Address (IPPA) system that will also be used. Protocol for the IPPA system is to issue (announce) an all clear when appropriate. 2.3 Comcast Cable Override In the event of an emergency, a message will be provided via campus televisions with details of the incident and the appropriate emergency response. 8