Getting The Alarm Out: USM's Tornado Warning System
Release Date: June 21, 2006
Release Number: 1604-387
» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina
BILOXI, Miss. -- Prior to 1998, students at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) were largely dependent on “word of mouth” information when impending tornadoes threatened the campus.
According to Bob Hopkins, USM Chief of Security, the university recognized the need for a campus-wide tornado warning system after several warnings failed to reach a considerable number of the 16,000 students enrolled.
“The critical need is for people outside to go inside,” Hopkins said. “There is an emergency plan in effect in each building with designated safety areas.” The University Police dispatch office manages the system.
Officials say the system operates like a radio or wireless system. “If a tornado warning is issued for our area, the University Police dispatcher calls the Emergency Management District to confirm the tornado is a threat to our campus,” Hopkins said. “At that point, we set the alarm off.”
The new system is prominently positioned on top of Owings-McQuagge Hall. The radio-controlled alarm system has two functions:
- an alarm system which is characterized by Westminster Chimes and,
- a voice system which announces, “A tornado warning has been issued for the Hattiesburg area. Please seek shelter.”
The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contributed $21,902 of the $29,202 cost through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which is administered by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). HMGP pays 75 percent of the cost of approved projects designed to prevent or reduce damages from natural hazards.
“Students are acquainted with the system during risk management orientation. Each residence hall gets a copy of the Emergency Response Manual,” Hopkins said. He is pleased with the system’s effectiveness.
“Does it work? Oh yeah! I have had to add personnel to staff the dispatch stand because of all the telephone calls,” he boasted. “Basically, it’s those who hear it and may not know what it is or what to do. Many callers want to know how long the warning will be in effect,” he added.
During the unpredictable path and duration of Hurricane Katrina, approximately 1,800 students remained sheltered on USM’s campus. “We’re sympathetic. We know that students aren’t going to be aware of as many situations as they would if their parents were with them. We have to be their parents,” Hopkins said.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 21-Jun-2006 11:57:25