FSU becomes 'StormReady'

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., May 31 (UPI) -- Florida State University has become the first university in Florida -- and one of only 16 in the United States -- to be designated "StormReady."

The National Weather Service certification signifies the university is well prepared to safeguard its people and property from severe weather -- including hurricanes.

"At FSU, our priorities include not just providing a world-class education for our 40,000 students, but also ensuring that those students can pursue their studies in the safest possible environment," said university President T.K. Wetherell. "The StormReady designation simply affirms our proactivity in working to protect all of those people who have made FSU their educational home."

In order to receive the designation, FSU had to meet several criteria, said Dave Bujak, emergency management coordinator for the university.

"We installed 80 (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) weather radios throughout the campus to keep faculty, staff, students and visitors safe when threatening weather approaches," he said, noting the 2007 hurricane season starts Friday.

Other weather safety initiatives included activation of voice-capable warning sirens, improved text-messaging and "blast" e-mail capabilities, and the establishment of two campus emergency operations centers.

 Related Images
 Related Polls
 Related Trivia
 Celebrity Gossip

State, University, Florida, United, States,
US, STORMREADY, tw science, local florida, Technology and Computers,