Jim, another suggestion may be for a paging service.  If staff and
students have alpha-numeric pagers (as many do here in Florida),
everyone can subscribe to a severe weather e-mail service.  We use
www.emergencye.com - but there are others through EMWIN.  This one is a
free service, others you can pay for but it can be specific to your
needs.  Take a look... it may not be a complete cure-all, but if a few
got the word, they in turn could notify others in the area.  Good
luck... 

Regards, 

Michael Heeder -  PES, FAEM
Gainesville Fire Rescue
(352) 334-5065
www.gfr.org



-----Original Message-----
From: Randy Shebby [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2001 7:51 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Tornado Warnings


Jim

A siren would probably be the most cost effective and expedient
approach. Is
it possible to use the existing fire sirens with a noticeably different
tone
or series?  Other than that, I would consider using all the remaining
communication systems available. A flashing warning icon on the
university
main web page, automated phone dialers to main departments, college
radio or
tv station broadcast, and  police and fire vehicles with PA systems.

The problem with the rest of these systems is that they are only really
effective during daylight hours. Tornados appear very quickly, however,
we
are usually aware of at least the potential for bad weather well in
advance.
(This isn't always the case in the midwest where storms can develop
rather
quickly.) I would - as an initial step - have a flashing emergency
warning
icon on the main web page. This would at least advise people to pay
attention to weather reports. An emergency flashing icon would also be a
good idea for something like bomb threats where use of the alarm system,
telephone, or radios is not advisable.  Good Luck and glad to see you
made
it through ok.

Randy Shebby
Occupational Safety Manager
Lehigh University


Jim Robinson wrote:

> CSHEMA & Ohiofire Lists - Particularly those in "Tornado Alley":
>     As many of you have heard, the University of Maryland was hit by
an
> F3 tornado on September 24th causing two student deaths, destroying 4
> buildings and damaging 32 others (damage estimates are currently
placed
> at $15M).
>     Since we don't live in a tornado prone area, the warning was less
> than adequate. We do not have sirens (those on the fire houses were
sent
> to the mid west several years ago after a tornado there). I'm looking
> for ideas that are used to warn students, faculty & staff to seek
> shelter.
>
> Thanks,
> Jim Robinson