Last modified: Tuesday, August 28, 2012
IUPUI designated a StormReady University prepared for hazardous weather
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 28, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis students and staff can feel more comfortable about prospects of severe weather now that IUPUI Emergency Management and Continuity has completed a set of rigorous warning criteria to earn the distinction of being a StormReady University. IUPUI is the fourth university campus in Indiana to be recognized as StormReady and the first IU campus to be so designated.
IUPUI has been designated a StormReady University. From left, Dave Tucek, warning coordination meteorologist, and Dan McCarthy, meteorologist-in-charge, represented NOAA's National Weather Service, Indianapolis, in presenting a plaque noting the designation to Dawn Rhodes, vice chancellor for finance and administration at IUPUI, and Carlos Garcia, director, IUPUI Emergency Management and Continuity.
Communication links to NOAA's National Weather Service Indianapolis office and redundant warning systems will provide enhanced warning services for the IUPUI campus.
"StormReady encourages communities to take a proactive approach to local hazardous weather operations and awareness and is a step towards the National Weather Service vision of a Weather-Ready Nation," said Dan McCarthy, meteorologist-in-charge at NOAA's Indianapolis forecast office. "StormReady arms communities with improved communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property. IUPUI officials have done an outstanding job in developing the necessary infrastructure to meet the criteria set forth by the StormReady program."
IUPUI Director of Emergency Management and Continuity Carlos Garcia added, "Obtaining the StormReady Program certification from the National Weather Service validates the important work that is being done by our campus. It clearly shows our commitment to the safety and protection of our students, faculty and staff and highlights the preparedness efforts of not only IU Emergency Management and Continuity, but all of our campus partners."
National Weather Service Indianapolis' McCarthy presented IUPUI Officials a recognition letter and StormReady signs on Aug. 27.
To earn StormReady designation, a community or university must:
- Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations.
- Have redundant ways to receive weather forecasts and warnings and to alert the public.
- Create a system that monitors local weather conditions.
- Promote the importance of public readiness through seminars.
- Develop a formal hazardous weather plan for training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.
NOTE: The name StormReady and its respective logo are registered U.S. certification marks of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
