Weather-Issues in Areas Surrounding, Essay Example

Introduction

Safety and preparedness options are two important factors that human individuals should take as they take on different options of redefining the procedures by which they face everyday tasks that they have to complete. Naturally, though, the situations being prepared for are unforeseen and cannot be specifically noted as to when they will exactly occur. Although signs maybe present, it is evident that such emergencies occur without specific date or time of happening. Hence, specific preparations need to be based upon assumptions of what would likely happen which could be sourced out from expectations that have been patterned on past occurrences as recorded by specific agencies that handled the issues considered in each emergency point.

In this presentation, a particular focus on the possible disasters that could occur around areas surrounding the premises of Indiana University of Bloomington shall be given particular attention to. The primary focus of this presentation is to make an assumptive direction that students could take into consideration especially during times when specific occurrences of emergencies happen. Serving as an informative definition of particular matters that students should know of, this discussion shall tackle the possible occurrences that could accompany storms and tornadoes happening within the area.

Section 1: Background of Case Focus

Just recently [March 2012], Indiana was among the states that was swiped by a killer tornado that killed several residents in the area as well as in nearby states such as Kentucky. The experience was rather devastating and specifically remarkable in the history of Indiana which marks the specific need for developing a particular plan that would help students face such adversities with much awareness and properly informed condition that would allow them to save not only their lives but also that of the others who they might be able to help.

Students are often found outside their homes and in campuses. In this case, when emergencies occur, there are most often than not concentrated in classrooms focused in their lessons. During these times, they are still supposed to be aware of what is happening around their community through constant update from campus news reports that are aired through local radio connections within the university. This will allow them to remain alert especially when particular emergencies occur. Tornadoes and storms often occur in the local areas of the United States during the months of March to April. In this case, students are still in campuses finishing their schedules for the term. Relatively, this is the reason why helping them protect themselves from such matters of emergencies due to natural occurrences should be well defined.

Section 2: Student Vulnerability Proof

Most students, when caught off-guard during particular emergencies resort to panic and stress. These particular reactions only worsen the situation and often reduces the chances of survival not only for the students themselves but also for those they stumble along with as they get out of their campuses. Keeping them in an alert condition is then a specific foundation for the success of any particular process of emergency response approach to become successful especially among students.

As recorded from the reports on the March 2012 tornado that hit Indiana, the situation was drastic. Homes were specifically torn down, structures were dismantled and several individuals caught in the street during the incident were severely injured while some others died (Alford, 2012, internet: Huff Post). This insists on the need for the institutionalization of a specific manner of development that would redefine the way the local people responded to the needs of saving themselves through knowing where to go, who to find and how to cooperate with community rescuers. Although the Indiana University of Bloomington is well noted for being prepared for such situations, there are still instances when even all the necessary preparations become less important due to the reduced focus of the people perhaps because of their panic and stressful conditions during the time. In this case, students could either be the most vigilant members of the community during the emergency or in worse cases become the most devastated individuals not knowing what to do. Equipping them with the right information and giving them the proper chance to face the said adversities could help them be less stressed and more alert as to how they should handle the case effectively and help others at the same time.

Section 3: Safety Plan Presentation

Pre-disaster preparation

To make sure that students are warned in real-time basis of reports regarding the improvement or the worsening of the weather, it is important to make sure that an established local reporting manner be instituted as a form of information source for the students while in campus. However, tornado warnings are often sent out early in the morning so as to serve as directive advice whether students should attend their classes or not. Relatively, with the right conditioning of the mind of the students, they are likely to remain alert in or out of the campus.

Access to constant communication especially with rescuers or local agencies handling disaster management procedures is essential during this time. For other particular matters to consider in relation to the preparation that students must consider during tornadoes and storms, the university web link located at http://emergency.iub.edu/doc/IU_weather.pdf would serve as a great source of help.

Actions during disaster

During the actual disaster’s occurrence, it pays that the students are aware of what numbers to call, who among the campus administrators to find and where could they take cover incase the situations get worse. To know more about the currently appointed individuals to handle disaster situations in campus, it is best to take a look at the university web link at http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/14810.html which discusses and presents the different individuals who are duly appointed to look over the safety improvements that are implemented in the university and how these specific guidelines could serve as protection to students as they handle adverse situations during emergencies [which could include storm and tornado occurrences].

Post-disaster actions

Most often than not, post disaster actions involve recovery and reestablishment of properties and establishments that have been damaged during the occurrence of the disaster. Finding lost individuals could also be a part of the process. Students who could lend a hand to support community efforts in reassuring these procedures could provide so much confidence in the faster approach to recovery not only of themselves or their university as it is, but that of the whole community that they are enjoined in. Providing them the capacity to be a great source of community-confidence during the post-disaster periods does not only give them the chance to improve the way they handle their community responsibilities but also provide them the chance to realize self-competence which they could use later on in the future when the same situations occur.

Conclusions

Preparations in facing disasters such as storms and tornadoes are supposed to be embraced as an institutional culture. Doing so shall make it easier for the students to make “disaster-alertness” be a part of their daily lives hence making them more enthusiastic in making sure that their preparations are proper especially during the occurrence of actual emergencies like storms and tornadoes. Receiving proper and accurate information about emergencies should be a priority and keeping needs supplies at the ready is an important aspect of the process of awareness and alertness in preparation for the coming of certain emergencies. In this case, being prepared for themselves shall equip the students to be prepared for their communities as well.

References

Campus Emergency Preparedness. http://emergency.iub.edu/. (Retrieved on April 30, 2012).

Weathering the Storm. http://emergency.iub.edu/doc/IU_weather.pdf. (Retrieved on April 30, 2012).

IU News Room. IU appoints directors for emergency management, public safety. http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/14810.html. (Retrieved on April 30, 2012).

Associated Press. Powerful storms, tornadoes rip through Alabama, Indiana, other states, killing at least 24 people. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/03/powerful_storms_tornadoes_rip.html. (Retrieved on April 30, 2012).

Alford, R. (2012). Indiana Tornado Outbreak 2012: More Than 30 People Killed As Violent Storms Hit Indiana, Kentucky. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/03/indiana-tornado-outbreak-2012-death-toll-rises_n_1318210.html. (Retrieved on April 30, 2012).