Category Archives: Preparedness

OEMP will be testing the College’s Emergency Notification Systems on October 10th

Faculty and staff:

NOVA has scheduled a test of the Emergency Notification Systems for October 10, 2013 beginning at 9:00am.   The systems that the College will be testing are:

•              NOVA desktop computer alerts (pop-up messages for networked computers only)

•              Digital signage (flat panels)

•              Automated and live broadcasts to all College phones

The message that you will either hear or see will be, “Test of the NOVA Emergency Notification System. This is only a Test

*Please note that NOVA Alert text messaging system will NOT  be tested at this time, so you should NOT receive a “Test” message on October 10th  if you are registered on the NOVA Alert text messaging system.

You will be receiving an email with more details of how you can assist OEMP to make this a successful test.  Please feel free to contact oemp@nvcc.edu if you have any questions.

How to Stay Safe in a Heat Wave

The summer heat has arrived in full force this week in Northern Virginia.  With temperatures expected to be in the upper 90s to near or at 100, it is important to know how to keep yourself and others safe when outdoors.  Below you will find some important information from our Safety Office on how you can prevent as well as how to recognize the symptoms of heat-related illnesses.  We encourage you to try to stay inside and hydrated as much as possible as long as we are stuck in this heat wave.

Heat Stress occurs when the body is unable to cool itself by sweating, several heat-induced illnesses such as heat stress or heat exhaustion and the more severe heat stroke can occur, and can result in death.

Factors Leading to Heat Stress May Include:

  • High temperature and humidity
  • Direct sun or heat
  • Limited air movement
  • Physical exertion
  • Poor physical condition
  • Some medicines
  • Inadequate tolerance for hot workplaces

Ways to Prevent Heat Stress Include:

  • Know the signs/symptoms of heat-related illnesses
  • Monitor yourself and co-workers
  • Block out direct sun or other heat sources
  • Use cooling fans/air-conditioning
  • Rest regularly
  • Drink lots of water; about 1 cup every 15 minutes
  • Wear lightweight, light colored, and loose-fitting clothes
  • Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, or heavy meals

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion Include:

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Lightheadedness or fainting
  • Weakness and moist skin
  • Mood changes such as irritability or confusion
  • Upset stomach or vomiting

Symptoms of Heat Stroke Include:

  • Dry, hot skin with no sweating
  • Mental confusion or losing consciousness
  • Seizures or convulsions

What to Do for Heat-Related Illness:

  • Call 911 (or local emergency number) at once
  • While waiting for help to arrive:
    • Move to a cool, shaded area
    • Loosen or remove heavy clothing
    • Provide cool drinking water
    • Fan and mist the person with water

Do you know what to do when severe weather hits?

Here we are again…  the beginning of the severe weather season.  As the meteorologists contemplate whether or not Northern Virginia is going to get hit by severe storms or even another derecho, we encourage you to make certain that you are prepared for whatever happens.  Familiarize yourself with NOVA’s Severe Weather Shelter Areas.  These areas are marked by green Severe Weather Shelter Area signs indicating that the space is designated as a safe area inside a building and away from windows.  You may be instructed to go to one of these areas in the event that there is a Tornado Warning issued or some other severe weather that requires you to get to a safe room.

Some tips for severe weather include:

  •  If a tornado WARNING is received, seek shelter immediately in a severe weather shelter area or go to an area that is in an interior hallway or room; at the lowest level in the building; and/or an area free of windows or glass.
  • Protect your body from flying debris with furniture and/or sturdy equipment.
  • Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

FEMA has several resources for aiding you to be prepared for severe weather at work, school, and/or home.  You can find out more on severe weather, tornadoes, and flooding at their website.

In the event that there is widespread damage or power outages, like after last summer’s derecho, please check NOVA’s homepage for status updates in case the College is closed or delayed.  You can also find more detailed information related to where any potential closings or delays will be announced by visiting OEMP’s website.

Spring Power Hour Series is Under Way

Join the Office of Emergency Management and Planning (OEMP) for its upcoming March Power Hour.  This one hour bring-your-own-lunch training session will be offered at the Alexandria, Manassas, and Medical Education campuses.  As with all Power Hours, this session is open to all faculty, staff, and students.

  • Topic:  On March 6th, OEMP staff will train faculty, staff, and students about Earthquake Response.  Come learn what you and others need to do when everything around you begins to shake and what to do when it stops.
  • Time:  Noon to 1:00 pm.
  • Locations for the March 6th Power Hour are as follows:                               

                                Alexandria – AA 417

                                Manassas – MH 110G

                                Medical Education – 352

  • Registration:  The training is open to all but, due to space limitations, we ask that you please register in advance.  Faculty and staff can register through the NOVA Academy.  Once logged in, click on the Learning Center, click on Course Catalog, type OEMP into the Search Text box, and then click Search.   Select NOVA – OEMP:  Earthquake Response, click on the campus session you would like to attend, and then click register.  Students can register by sending an email to oemp@nvcc.edu  If you have any questions, you may also contact the office at 703-764-5043.

2013 Spring C-CERT Classes to Being in February

Are you interested in learning more about emergency preparedness?  Have you ever wanted to do more to help others on campus or in your community during an emergency?  Would you like to be involved with helping evacuate a building on campus during a drill and/or an actual fire alarm or assisting others during a Shelter-in-Place event? 

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may be interested in a College-wide opportunity led by the Office of Emergency Management and Planning (OEMP) to recruit and train faculty and staff to become Campus – Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT) volunteers (C-CERT is in addition to the College’s current building and floor warden programs).  Per Executive Order 41, Governor McDonnell approved twenty hours of work time for any state employees who wish to become C-CERT volunteers.  http://www.governor.virginia.gov/PolicyOffice/ExecutiveOrders/viewEO.cfm?eo=41

The C-CERT program will cover topics such as:  disaster preparedness, fire safety, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, terrorism awareness, and more.  At the end of the training, each person will receive a backpack filled with items to help assist in an emergency and will become part of the growing C-CERT’s on his/her campus.

C-CERT classes will be held from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM on the following three Fridays:  February 15th, February 22nd, and March 1st.  This semester, the classes will be held at the Medical Education Campus in room 356.  If you are interested in signing up to become a C-CERT volunteer you must first get your supervisor’s permission.  Also, you must commit to attending all three sessions. 

Below is the C-CERT job description.  If you are interested in taking part in the College’s C-CERT training program, please contact oemp@nvcc.edu for more information on how to sign up. 

Job Title: Campus Community and Emergency Response Team (C-C.E.R.T.) Member
 
Service Area: NOVA Campuses
 
Goal or Purpose of the C-CERT Team Member:
This position provides non-emergency and emergency evacuation and shelter-in-place support within NOVA’s Emergency Operations Plan to faculty, staff, students, and visitors affected by disasters on NOVA’s campuses and centers.
 
Major Responsibilities:
  • Assist with special needs evacuation
  • Assist building and floor wardens with general evacuation & shelter-in-place processes
  • Provide assistance at State Shelter and State Transfer Point if necessary
  • Community relations/distribution of emergency information to the public
  • Participate in drills and exercises
  • Participate in training and preparedness activities
  • Support for Emergency Management at College events
  • Emergency preparedness
 Qualifications:
  • Excellent listening skills
  • Reliable with the ability to remain calm during a crisis
  • Successful completion of mandatory training
 Training and/or Preparation Required:  C-C.E.R.T. Volunteer Training Curriculum – Mandatory
 
Time Commitment: Three – eight hour classes held on on Friday February 15th, February 22nd, and March 1st.
 
Benefits to the Volunteer:
  • Gain emergency management skills/experience
  • Achieve a great sense of personal accomplishment