All posts by jjmiller

NOVA Alert

When was the last time you logged into NOVA Alert? At the beginning of the semester? Years ago? Never?

To receive NOVA Alerts, you must register for them! This may seem obvious, but you would be surprised of the number of students (and faculty/staff too) who show up to campus long after a NOVA Alert was sent closing a campus or entire College.

At the beginning of every semester, take a few minutes to follow the following three steps that will help ensure you receive alerts when timely and accurate information is vital.

  1. Log into http://alert.nvcc.edu with your MyNOVA account.
  2. Ensure your contact information is complete and accurate.
    • Note: By default you already have your NOVA email added to your account, but the College strongly recommends you add your personal cell phone and personal email address to ensure you receive alerts. You can even add a family member’s number/email as well!
  3. Test your ability to receive alerts by clicking the “Test” button next to each contact number and email address. This will ensure NOVA’s alert system can send you an alert.

Remember to keep your phone on and with you while on campus or in a classroom. Also, visit https://www.nvcc.edu/emergency/alert.html to learn about other methods alerts may be sent.

National Preparedness Month – September 2018

National Preparedness Month (NPM), recognized each September, provides an opportunity to remind us that we all must prepare ourselves and our families now and throughout the year. This NPM will focus on planning, with an overarching theme: Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.

Throughout NPM, the Office of Emergency Management and Safety (OEMS) will post daily content on this blog to help you prepare now – before disasters happen.

NPM weekly blog themes:

  • Week 1 – College Preparedness
  • Week 2 – Make a Plan
  • Week 3 – Make a Kit
  • Week 4 – Be Prepared

OEMS challenges you to subscribe to this blog by adding your email address to the “Subscribe to Blog via Email” text box on the right side of this page. This will ensure you not only receive emails for each NPM article, but also emergency preparedness articles beyond NPM.

Turn Around Don’t Drown

There has been some heavy rain storms this past weekend and the Northern Virginia region remains under flash flood watch. This is an important time to remember: “Turn Around Don’t Drown®!”

Each year, flooding causes more deaths than any other weather hazard. Most of these drownings could be prevented—if people better understood the force and power of rushing floodwater. Whether driving or walking, save your life, and the lives of your children and other family members or traveling companions. When you see flood waters ahead: Turn Around Don’t Drown®.

More than half of all flood-related drownings occur when vehicles are swept away because their drivers attempted to travel through flood water. Many drive around flood barriers because they mistakenly believe their 3,000 pound or more vehicle is so heavy it will stay in contact with the road surface.

Keep these facts in mind:

  • Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.
  • A foot of water will float many vehicles.
  • Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pick-ups.

The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths occurs when people try to walk through or walk too close to flood waters. It may be hard to believe, but it’s true that as little as six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.

If you come to an area that is covered with flood water, you will not know the depth of the water or the condition of the ground under the water. Road beds may be washed out under flood waters. NEVER drive through flooded roadways. Play it smart, play it safe. Whether driving or walking, any time you come to a flooded area, Turn Around Don’t Drown®.

For more information go to ready.gov/floods and tadd.weather.gov.

Fireworks Safety

The 4th of July holiday if a great time to celebrate our nation’s independence outdoors with great food, family, and friends. Fireworks are often associated with the 4th of July as many professional displays light up our nighttime sky.  Many celebrate with their own personal fireworks at home, and it’s important to keep safety in mind if you decide to use them.

Sparklers, often considered by many to be the ideal “safe” device for the young, burn at very high temperatures–up to 2,000 degrees! That is as hot as a blow torch!

Above is a fact sheet from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for fireworks safety. Please be safe and enjoy celebrating our nation’s independence.