![\"alarm.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/ezing.me\/transfer\/wp-content\/uploads\/stories\/alarm.jpg\" "\\"alarm.jpg\\"")
<\/p>\nOXFORD, Miss. – The Center for Community Earthquake \n\u00a0\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nThe purchases coincide with the center’s call for renewed \n“One of our biggest challenges is educating a public about \nThe university recently installed seismically-activated \nJames Windham, director of procurement services and \nPhysical Plant project engineer Denny Buchanon said six new \nUniversity Police Chief Jeffrey Van Slyke said a cross-talk \nMore than 200 earthquakes are reported in the central
\nPreparedness at the University of Mississippi has announced
\nthat additional warning sirens and communications equipment
\nhave been purchased in anticipation of a major tremor or
\nother natural disaster.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\nearthquake awareness, said Charles Swann, staff geologist
\nin the UM Mississippi Mineral Resources Institute. Gov.
\nHaley Barbour has declared Feb. 4-8 as Earthquake Awareness
\nWeek in Mississippi. The weeklong observance is being
\nsupported by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency
\nand the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nthe earthquake risks they face and to personally prepare
\nfor any type of emergency,” Swann said. “We can’t prevent
\nnatural disasters, but we can prepare to protect our lives
\nand minimize property damage.”
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nnatural gas shut-off valves to its two largest residence
\nhalls that will automatically shut off the natural gas
\nsupply to the structure in an earthquake, Swann said.
\n“Student Housing and Residential Life should get gold stars
\nfor their efforts at promoting student safety,” he added.
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nemergency management coordinator at UM, said Vice
\nChancellor for Administration and Finance Larry Sparks has
\nbeen instrumental in helping the university obtain the
\nmatching grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland
\nSecurity and Federal Emergency Management Agency. The FEMA
\naward is administered by the Mississippi Emergency
\nManagement Agency.
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\ndigital sirens – each with voice message capabilities – are
\nto be installed at various sites around the campus. With
\none mechanical siren and four other digital sirens already
\nposted, the new addition will bring the total number of
\nsirens to 11. The new sirens should be operational by
\nApril, Buchanon said.
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\ncommunications console should further ensure the
\nuniversity’s ability to send and receive messages in the
\nevent of a crisis situation. “UPD will be able to stay in
\ncommunication with a total of 16 on and off-campus
\nagencies,” Van Slyke said. “The console should be fully
\noperational by early April as well.”
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nUnited States each year, and a large one could pose a
\nthreat to Mississippi and Arkansas, so Barbour and Arkansas
\nGov. Mike Beebe declared Feb. 4-8 Earthquake Awareness Week
\nin their states. These tremors, most of which go
\nunnoticed, occur in an area known as the New Madrid seismic
\nzone. The zone is about 40 miles wide and 200 miles long,
\nstretching from northeast Arkansas to southern Illinois.
\nThe southern end of the zone is about 40 miles from the
\nnorthwest corner of Mississippi. For more information
\nabout earthquake preparedness, contact Swann at
\n662-915-7320 or cts@mmri.olemiss.edu or visit the center’s
\nWeb site at
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n