MATC Matters

Tornado Awareness Week is April 21-25, 2008.
A statewide tornado drill is scheduled for Thursday, April 24. More information on the drill is below.

Severe weather season is upon us. Knowing what to do, and when, can save your life when the seconds count. The most common concern I hear among MATC students and staff is NOT KNOWING WHERE TO GO when a Tornado Warning is issued. Therefore, PLEASE take time now to review what to do and where to go (and for faculty, this is a good time to review this information with your students).

A Tornado Safety Bulletin (in PDF) is posted on the EH&S webpage (click on “Tornado Safety Bulletin”). Please review the bulletin for District procedures and Designated Shelter Areas and BE PREPARED when the minutes count, both at HOME and at work.

Contact me if you have any questions. Best regards, Cynthia

More Drill Information
Tornado Drill, Thursday April 24-The Dane County Department of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service will be participating in a statewide Tornado Alert Drill on Thursday, April 24. This drill will include a mock Tornado Watch to be issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) at approximately 1 p.m., and a mock Tornado Warning will be issued by the NWS sometime between 1-2 p.m. (the actual times will be posted on the WEM website at: http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/). This will activate the Emergency Broadcast System, including outdoor warning sirens. The drill will conclude at 2 p.m., though note that no “all clear” message will be sent via the NWS.

NOTE: MATC Madison campuses will passively participate in the Tornado Drill by monitoring the Emergency Broadcast System to ensure the tornado warning is being received at each campus. However, the Madison campus locations will not announce the tornado warning over their public address systems or initiate any interruption of classes. (Regional MATC campuses may or may not be participating in the drill.)

According to the National Weather Service, if actual server weather occurs anywhere in the state on April 12, the tornado drill will be postponed until Friday, April 25, with the watch/warnings issued at the same time.

********************

OFFICE REMINDER:
For each campus you work at or visit, be familiar with the tornado warning procedure and designated shelter areas. If you need a map highlighting the designated areas for a specific campus, or if you want additional procedural information, please contact the Environmental Health and Safety Office at (608)246-6291 or via email.

HOME REMINDER:
Make sure you have a Disaster Supplies Kit in your designated shelter area at home. A kit should contain at least the following (according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the American Red Cross):

• Three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day)
• Food that won’t spoil and can opener
• One change of clothing and sturdy shoes per person (and work gloves)
• One blanket or sleeping bag per person
• First aid kit, including prescription medicines
• Emergency tools including, Battery-powered NOAA Weather radio, portable radio, flashlight, and extra batteries
• Extra set of car keys, a credit card and cash
• Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members
• Written instructions on how to turn off your home’s utilities