Take Time This Month to Prepare for Emergencies
September is National Preparedness Month
Even though the East Coast is yet to receive a serious severe weather threat during hurricane season, Duke administrators still want students, faculty and staff to be aware of the importance of being ready.
In addition to marking the midpoint of hurricane season, September is also National Preparedness Month, a time for communities to prepare and plan for any emergencies that may come their way. John Dailey, chief of Duke Police, said that it's valuable to gain insight and develop strategies to better plan and communicate when emergencies strike.
Read More"It's always a good idea to stay informed and familiarize yourself with campus emergency policies," Dailey said. "We never know when an emergency will impact campus, which is why the safety of our community is a shared responsibility. We are able to help each other."
A key part of Duke's emergency preparedness is with its DukeALERT emergency notification system, which can be used to inform Duke community members of severe weather, active shooters or other campus emergency events. In addition to outdoor warning sirens, text messages, email blasts, and an emergency telephone line, Duke maintains the DukeALERT website to provide up-to-date information during severe weather or on-campus emergencies. Duke also utilizes alert bars on the Duke.edu homepage and administration sites.
A portion of the DukeALERT website contains information on what to do in a variety of emergency scenarios.
Duke also regularly maintains a severe weather preparedness plan. Duke monitors local forecasts on a daily basis and receives alerts through a subscription weather service. Each week, a liaison from Duke Police also participates in a live, web conference call with the local National Weather Service. If a forecast calls for the potential for severe weather, Duke's Severe Operations Team convenes to review plans and preparations.
Students and employees can also find safety tips on the Duke Police website, which includes videos and information on protecting property and more.
Learn more about National Preparedness Month and find more information on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's website.