Spring Weather Calls Attention to Disaster Response Efforts
Photo Credit: http://www.sxc.hu
Spring Weather Calls Attention to Disaster Response Efforts
By Leslie Hassel
As spring begins, Arkansans prepare for a rainy storm season that could potentially warrant natural disaster response. Communities and college campuses across the nation develop individual plans to respond to natural disasters, and UAFS provides an emergency plan for campus and community members.
The UAFS Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is designed to identify possible disasters and provide information regarding proper procedures during and following campus emergencies. The EAP outlines appropriate responses for natural disasters including fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and winter storms. Information on responding to criminal behavior, suspicious activity, and medical emergencies can also be found in the EAP.
UAFS also offers LionsAlert, an emergency messaging service that sends reports via text message or email. By signing up for LionsAlert, users elect to receive campus emergency notifications from UAFS. The service is an effective way for the UAFS community to gain mobile notification of campus emergencies.
“Preparing for a disaster is crucial,” says Lindsey Holman, an Emergency Management Consultant for Witt Associates, a disaster recovery firm based in Washington DC. “FEMA’s emergency preparedness checklist is a great way to get information on items to include in an emergency preparedness kit.”
For those on campus during an emergency weather event, evacuation and shelter maps for each building are posted in each building. These maps are also found on the UAFS website.
Community members who are interested in learning more about local disaster response should contact the Sebastian County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) at CERT@co.sebastian.ar.us for information on disaster response training and volunteer opportunities.
