September is National Preparedness Month and this year’s theme is “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.” We 
are encouraging everyone to take part, make a plan and know what to do during an emergency. This means having an up-to-date contact list for those you may need to reach during a disaster and establishing alternate methods of communication in case traditional means are not available.
Emergency Preparedness at Home – Do 1 Thing – Be Informed (September)
Getting correct information during an emergency is the key to taking safe action. Someone in your household may not be able to receive, understand, or act on emergency information. Think about what special needs your household may have. Take action now to make sure everyone in your family will be safe in an emergency.
THE GOAL: Make sure everyone in your household can receive, understand, and act on information received in an emergency.
Choose one (or all) of these things to do this month:
- Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do when they hear emergency warnings.
- Get a NOAA Emergency Alert Radio.
- Make sure everyone in your household can communicate in a disaster.
Each month on this blog, OEM will post Do 1 Thing’s monthly topic and we encourage you to follow the program at http://do1thing.com.
Be Prepared as You Start a New Year!
The Office of Emergency Management would like to welcome you to NOVA or welcome you back if you are a returning student! We want you to be safe and prepared for any emergency that may happen while here at NOVA. We encourage you to take a few minutes during your first weeks on campus to look around for the nearest exits to your classrooms in case of a fire or other emergency evacuation. Also, look for the nearest Severe Weather Shelter location to your classroom in case there is a tornado or an especially severe storm. These locations are marked by a green sign with a picture of a tornado. Each classroom also has an Emergency Procedures poster. Take a look at this as well as it describes what to do in just about any emergency situation you may encounter while on campus.
For more information on emergency preparedness at NOVA, please visit our website.
NOVA’s Office of Emergency Management and Woodbridge Campus Conduct Simulated Emergency Functional Exercise to Test Emergency Response
What would you do if an emergency occurred on your campus? How would you and your department respond? These were questions asked on May 27th when NOVA’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and Woodbridge Campus conducted a simulated, interactive functional exercise.
The functional exercise was designed to test the coordination, integration, and interaction of the NOVA and Woodbridge Campus policies, procedures, roles, and responsibilities during the simulated event. Woodbridge Campus staff responded in real-time with on-the-spot decisions and actions made in a simulated stressful environment. All of the participants’ decisions and actions generated real responses and consequences from other staff members.
Woodbridge Campus Provost Dr. Sam Hill complimented the realistic aspects of the exercise and the readiness of his Woodbridge team. Dr. Hill added, “All of the participants came away with an understanding of how critical it is to function as a team during emergencies” and also emphasized the exercise “will make us more appreciative of advance preparation for emergencies.” Dr. Hill commended NOVA and OEM for increasing awareness and appreciation of emergency drills because it drives home the fact that everyone needs to be knowledgeable about their roles during an emergency.
NOVA’s OEM will conduct this functional exercise at all NOVA campuses to ensure each campus has the opportunity to learn from this valuable training opportunity. If you have any questions about this exercise or general emergency response topics, please email OEM at OEM@nvcc.edu.
Heat Stroke Awareness
Summer is a fun time of the year. It’s prime time to head to the beach, ride roller coasters, and enjoy the outdoors. However, with summer comes heat – which can be dangerous if not protected against.
What is Heat Stroke?
Heat Stroke occurs when the body can no longer manage excess heat. The body actually begins to trap the excess heat instead of releasing it. When this happens, the body begins to show some tell-tale signs:
- Hot, dry skin due to a lack of sweat
- Body temperature greater than 105°
Confusion, dizziness, or nausea
How Can I Prevent Heat Stroke?
Heat exhaustion itself is usually characterized by heavy sweating and weakness. If preventive actions are not taken, the body can progress quickly into the final stage of heat exhaustion – heat stroke. It isn’t always easy to notice this progression until it already occurs.
The easiest way to prevent heat stroke and other heat-related emergencies is to keep yourself and others cool and hydrated. Wear clothes that are lightweight and breathable. If you know you’re going to be outside on a hot day, drink plenty of water before and during the activity. Take frequent breaks because even casual activities can become overwhelming. Don’t forget to lather on sunscreen and reapply it frequently as your fun day in the sun progresses.
What Should I Do If I Witness Heat Stroke?
The first thing you should do is call 9-1-1 and then attempt to cool the person down. Remove them from the heat and use shade or air conditioning to your advantage. Remove excess clothing and put a wet towel on them. Be ready to give an account of what happened to first responders when they arrive.
For more information on Heat Emergencies, visit http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/OEP/ExtremeHeat/.