Friday, July 09, 2010

Purdue University to Simulate Scaled-Down Virginia Tech Shooting Emergency Event to Test Response on July 14, 2010

This is probably nothing, but a standard emergency drill. Nevertheless, I wanted to put it out there in case something crazy goes down at Purdue in the next few days.

###

Purdue to simulate emergency to test response
July 6, 2010

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University will test its emergency preparedness July 14 with the simulation of an on-campus event. The exercise is funded by a grant from the Department of Education Emergency Management in Higher Education program.

Purdue's Campus Emergency Preparedness and Planning Office, in conjunction with the Purdue Homeland Security Institute, will simulate an assault by armed gunmen involving multiple buildings, a scaled-down version of the Virginia Tech tragedy in 2007. The exercise, which will be concentrated on the southwest side of campus, will test police and emergency medical service's ability to respond as well as the Purdue Alert system and communications, said Ron Wright, director of university emergency preparedness.

The exercise will begin at approximately 8 a.m. and will be completed by noon. Signs will be posted in the affected areas. Drivers and pedestrians are asked to used caution and watch for emergency response vehicles.

All layers of Purdue Alert will be activated:

* All hazards outdoor sirens will sound in conjunction with the drill provided there is no threatening weather.

* A text message will be sent to those subscribed to the Purdue Alert texting service. To subscribe or update your information, visit http://purdue.edu/securepurdue/ and click on "Change My Emergency Contact Number."

* E-mail will be sent to purdue.edu accounts of all students, faculty and staff.

* Information will be posted on the Purdue homepage, Boiler TV and Purdue's emergency notification Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=2359887158

To improve the likelihood of receiving the text message, Scott Ksander, executive director of information technology networks and security, recommends that Verizon Wireless subscribers update the network information in their cell phones quarterly. To do so, call *228 ("star" 228) and select option 2, "Update Roaming Capabilities." No action is necessary for other wireless carriers.

Writer: Jeanne Norberg, 765-494-2084, jnorberg@purdue.edu

Source: Ron Wright, 765-494-0446, rdwright@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Those who would like to cover the actual drill should contact Jeanne Norberg, 765-494-2084, jnorberg@purdue.edu


No comments: