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Tornado Procedures

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Tornado Procedures FLINT PUBLIC LIBRARYLIBRARY EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN FOR MAIN BRANCH 1026 E KEARSLEY ST FLINT MI 48503 TORNADO PROCEDURES Table of Contents General Purpose / Definitions and Conditions Contact person Tornado Watch Notification Tornado Shelter Locations Termination of Watches and Warnings DATE: MAY 2, 2006 1 FLINT PUBLIC LIBRARY TORNADO WEATHER PROCEDURES I. PURPOSE The purpose of the Flint Public Library Tornado Weather procedures is to outline how the Library’s Staff, patrons and students are to respond to tornado watches, tornado warnings, and actual tornadoes. II. DEFINITIONS A. Weather Alert System is a radio alert system that is located in the Loan Department workroom area. The system is activated with a alarm tone proceed with a verbal message by the Emergency Management Office with the current weather conditions. B. Contact Person - Staff person in charge on that day is responsible for receiving and disseminating all messages received over the Weather Alert System. If the Person in charge is unavailable their alternate will assume the responsibility. TORNADO CONDITIONS Tornado Watches : are issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative National Severe Storm Forecast Center, Norman Oklahoma, to identify areas where conditions are favorable for tornado formation. A watch is an alert telling staff to continue with their daily routine, but to be ready to respond to a warning. Tornado Warnings : are issued by the local National Weather Service facility, in White Lake, Michigan, and means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Persons close to the storm should take shelter immediately, and remain there until the U.S. Weather Service warning has expired. POINT OF CONTACT • Staff person in charge or (alternate if unavailable) • Emergency Alert Monitor 2 III. NOTIFICATION OF WATCH CONDITIONS A. Tornado Watch Upon receiving notification of a tornado watch, the following steps will be taken: 1. Loan Department will alert the Staff person in charge once they have received the weather alert that a watch is in effect. 2. The Staff person in charge will be responsible to disseminate the message to all department supervisors and alert all three branches that a tornado watch is in effect. 3. Loan Department will continue to monitor the alert system and update the Staff person in charge if there is any changes in the conditions. 4. Staff person in charge should maintain a list of department supervisors and branch managers. B. Tornado Warning Upon receiving notification of a tornado warning, by any warning notification system, (Sirens, radio alert system, or Staff person in charge, etc.) the following steps will be taken. 1. Loan Department will alert the Staff person in charge once they have received the weather alert that a warning has been issued. 2. Staff person in charge will then notify the Emergency Alert Monitor and department supervisors that a tornado warning has been issued. Take shelter immediately 3. It is mandatory that all departments should crease operations and direct their staff and patrons to designated shelter ( Lower level / Basement center hallway ) areas If there is loss of power, elevators shall not be used. Staff must move everyone away from any window glass. 4. Staff will assist handicapped persons to the shelter area as quickly as possible. If a power outage occurs during severe weather, elevators may not work. Move the person to a small interior room or closet; stay away from windows and exterior walls. (First floor: Children’s restroom ) 5. Each department shall be responsible for the security of its work area upon ceasing normal operations. Staff will follow assigned areas of responsibility as spelled out in the Fire Drill procedures. 3 IV. SHELTER LOCATION LOWER LEVEL / BASEMENT LARGE CENTER HALLWAY AREA STAFF DUTIES / GENERAL PUBLIC 1. Both main entrance doors will be left unlocked and all interior doors will be left open . Emergency Alert monitors (security) will post signs at each entrance door indicating a shelter and directions to the shelter location. 2. During normal business hours staff will be required to remain in their designated shelter area during a tornado warning. 3. Members of the public (patrons) will be advised of designated shelter areas. The use of these areas by the public is at their discretion. The public will be required to leave the building if they do not choose to go to the shelter area. 4. The Emergency Alert Monitor will check restrooms / assure all public and staff are in the shelter area. They will continue to monitor radio, weather conditions in a safe area and keep the Staff person in charge updated. V. TORNADO DAMAGE / INJURY In the event of actual tornado damage to the library facilities, the Staff person in charge shall be responsible for making this notification. Department Supervisors shall be responsible for accounting for their staff before leaving the scene. VI. TERMINATION OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS When the Emergency Alert Monitor has received the “All Clear” message over the radio, they will notify the Staff person in charge . To verify the message a follow-up call will be made to the Fire Department dispatch at 810.232.2222 to confirm that the warning has expired. Staff will then return to their regular duties when the watch or warning has expired, followed by the patrons. 4 .
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