Spartan Echo

It's hurricane season; be prepared

Julia Jessie

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This image provided by NOAA shows Category 2 Hurricane Ike in the Gulf of Mexico at 11:32 p.m. EDT Wednesday Sept. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/NOAA)

With storm paths being uncertain, everyone along the coastline countries have been warned to prepare for hurricane season. Do you know what to do in an actual emergency?

According to the Spartan Connection monthly digest found on the NSU website, it gave a brief description of the evacuation procedures of a building in case of an emergency. "Procedure dictates that you secure your office and prepare to leave the premises immediately."

If you are a student living on campus the same rules apply. University policy says "Quickly check offices [and bedroom/living quarters] on your floor to ensure that everyone has been notified to evacuate the building and leave in an orderly fashion using stairwells."

Upon evacuating the building, follow the emergency plan from your residential leader. They will have the information to update you on what is going on and will give you further instructions to keep the area secure and ensure your safety.

NSU urges us to remember the SWIMMER principle to secure an emergency situation. The SWIMMER principle breaks down the emergency procedure in the order of operation. S-secure the area, W-warn others, I-isolate the incident, M-minimize the incident (unplugging your computer or anything in an outlet), M- maintain composure, E-evacuation procedures, R- rescue response. Remember the SWIMMER principle, this will ensure the safety of yourself and other people.

Now, it is likely that we will not experience a storm that will cause much damage, or cause students to have to evacuate the dorms; however, it may cancel or delay classes.

The university has three types of closing decisions: closed, delayed opening, and early closing. If the university is closed, this means that campus is closed for the day and the evening. Only essential personnel will be working. This means food, water, batteries, first aid supplies and medications should be handy and enough to sustain you for three days.

All updates on campus closures are available from the NSU website, Spartan Net, and the university switchboard voicemail (757-832-8600).

Be safe, and know your responsibility during an emergency.

More information on what to do in an emergency situation can be found at: http://www.nsu.edu/residentiallife/pdf/emergency_preparedness.pdf

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