Earthquake Prompts Revamped Safety Plan

By KEVIN CORCORAN

The Office of Emergency Management and Safety has undergone some recent reorganization, and seeks to expand its Access Control System.

The office recently released a trifold pamphlet titled“Safety Preparedness Plan” in response to the recent 2.2 magnitude earthquake last summer and the 5.8 magnitude earthquake last year, according to Director Ruth Lovelace.

Lovelace claims that “there’s enough information in this trifold it will help you even if you’re at the mall.”

Besides the pamphlet on safety, the office has distributed a public safety pamphlet, which is a response to the H1N1 pandemic swine flu scare that occurred in 2009, according to Lovelace. The office also has a residential evacuation plan available and a bookmark with emergency contact numbers and a report card for bomb threats.

According to Lovelace, natural disasters tend to occur more often at the University of Mary Washington than man-made events, with fires being the biggest issue on campus.

The office is also seeking to expand its Access Control System to all university buildings on all UMW campuses. Currently, every residence hall has key-card access, as does Brent Hall, the Anderson Center, the SAE office in Seacobeck and Monroe. Lovelace said this will be a phased project that likely will not be completed for several years due to lack of funding.

The commonwealth of Virginia is in charge of emergency plans, alert network system, response and recovery to all emergencies.