http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/ News about Director's Blog from Emergency Preparedness en-us Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:42:52 -0400 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4812/Check-out-our-new-Facebook-site http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4812/Check-out-our-new-Facebook-site Emergency Management and Continuity has a new Facebook site to add to our toolbox of ways to get preparedness and response information to you.  "Like" our page to receive updates about current departmental activities, emergency situation updates, and valuable preparedness information.  If you are a student, faculty or staff member, parent, or interested person, we welcome you!  Click here to join us. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4768/Information-for-Pregnant-Women--Specific-Emergencies- http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4768/Information-for-Pregnant-Women--Specific-Emergencies- Emergencies can be a scary and stressful time, especially for pregnant women or women with infants or children. Though you may feel it is impossible to be ready for unexpected events, being prepared can help you avoid stress and put you in a better position to handle emergencies. If you are pregnant or someone with infants or young children, find out how to plan for an emergency or disaster. This fact sheet will help you prepare for emergency birth, prepare for an emergency or disaster, evacuate, stay in a shelter or place other than your home, be prepared during and just after a disaster, and recover after a disaster. For more CDC information on this topic, click here.   Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4744/Business-SPEA-being-evacuated http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4744/Business-SPEA-being-evacuated The Business SPEA building on the IUPUI campus is being evacuated due to elevated levels of a chemical in the building.  Follow emergency responders' directions.  More information will be posted here as it becomes available. Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4742/Its-Hot-Outside http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4742/Its-Hot-Outside Take action to protect yourself and others during the summer heat!  The American Red Cross has some good information on protecting yourself and others during a heat wave:  http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/checklists/HeatWave.pdf . Tips for those working outside (and their supervisors) may be found on the IUPUI Environmental Health and Safety website here.  The signs and symptoms of Heat Rash, Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion, and Heat Stroke are important to know during the hot summer months, or for anyone working or playing, or even just being in an unusually warm situation. Tomorrow (July 7, 2010) has been declared a KNOZONE Action Day, because the air quality forecast indicates that air pollution levels may be high tomorrow. The region's air quality may become unhealthy for individuals who are sensitive to air pollutants, including: •Children •Senior citizens •People with breathing-related illnesses, such as asthma •Those who are active outdoors The Indianapolis Office of Sustainability encourages sensitive groups to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors on Knozone Air Quality Action Days.  People who have any concerns about how air pollution affects their health should seek the advice of a physician.     Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4729/IUPUI-Emergency-Preparedness-is-now-IU-Emergency-Management-and-Continuity-- http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4729/IUPUI-Emergency-Preparedness-is-now-IU-Emergency-Management-and-Continuity-- IU has created a new system-wide structure that is now one of the most comprehensive and integrated emergency management and business continuity organizations nationwide! Under the new University Director there will be three Directors - for IUPUI, IUB, and the Regional campuses.  Check it out: http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/14810.html Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4724/Flooding--How-to-Deal-with-It http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4724/Flooding--How-to-Deal-with-It   With all of the rain in the past week, flooding is becoming a primary concern for Indiana. In the next 2-5 days, rivers are expected to reach levels not seen since June 2008 after the major flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ike. In addition to the longer-term flooding, flash flooding can (and currently is) happening all around Indiana, so here are some tips to keep you safe.   Flood Watch: Conditions to have a flood in your area are favorable. Flood Warning: A flood is occurring or is likely to occur soon. During flooding: Get to higher ground. Evacuate your house if flooding is possible. Know your town and make sure you know alternate escape routes in case one is blocked. Take pets with you if you evacuate. However, many shelters usually do NOT allow pets inside due to sanitary conditions so plan accordingly. Do NOT try and drive through water. As little as 2 feet can cause most cars to float, and as little as a few inches of moving water can wash most cars away with the current. Don't try and drive through rushing water over a roadway, it is very dangerous and can easily sweep your car away. Do NOT try to cross moving water on foot. As little as a few inches can knock you off your feet. Watch TV or listen to the radio to find out what actions to take next. Some great resources can be found on the Indiana Department of Homeland Security's website: http://www.in.gov/dhs/2791.htm.   Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4544/How-to-Protect-Your-Smartphone http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4544/How-to-Protect-Your-Smartphone For anyone who stores sensitive information on their smartphone, these 5 security tips are essential. Read on for how to use the anti-hacking features built into your smartphone. From the Continuity e-Guide: RIM’s BlackBerry has several built-in security features to protect the sensitive information so much of the industrialized world now stores on those tiny devices. But the service provider can’t help users who fail to take a few moments to set up these features. Using smartphones irresponsibly can leave all of that private data in the hands of hackers. In an article on SFGate.com, Al Sacco says smartphone owners need to do their part to secure sensitive information, whether they are corporate BlackBerry users on a BES or BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) customers. Sacco lists five easy security safeguards anyone can manage, and explains in detail how to set up each one. The SFGate.com article says users must, as a first step, enable password protection, because “there’s little an average perpetrator can do with a locked-down BlackBerry, besides erase its contents,” Sacco writes. Next on his list of security measures are “Encrypting BlackBerry Device Data,” “Locking down BlackBerry Bluetooth Security.” For users who can’t resist the convenience of storing their passwords, payment card information and other login data on their BlackBerry, Sacco’s fourth tip – “Protect Passwords and Other Sensitive On-Device Data” – explains the right and wrong ways of doing that. RIM has a built-in “Password Keeper” app that makes it very difficult for hackers, provided that the master password to get into it is difficult to guess. Finally, the fifth tip “Parting With Your Device? Make Sure It’s Wiped” addresses what to do if the device is misplaced or stolen. To read the article on SFGate.com, click here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/03/02/urnidgns852573C400693880002576DA0081BBE5.DTL Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4543/Become-a-Storm-Spotter-- http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4543/Become-a-Storm-Spotter-- Learn how to identify weather patterns that can become dangerous. Recognize clouds and winds that can indicate tornadoes and thunderstorms, and learn how to keep yourself safe and report weather conditions to people who need to take action to protect others. Join us on April 19 at the IUPUI Campus Center, Room 405, from 2:00-4:00 PM. Register by e-mailing oep@iupui.edu. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/images/60_sq_storm spotter 2010.pdf http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/images/200_storm spotter 2010.pdf http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4542/Dont-Let-Influenza-Spoil-Your-Plans-for-Spring-Break http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4542/Dont-Let-Influenza-Spoil-Your-Plans-for-Spring-Break In anticipation of next week's Spring Break, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College Health Association (ACHA) sent a letter to colleges and universities, encouraging students, faculty, and staff to take precautions against the flu. Excerpt from Letter: Recently, several colleges and universities have reported increased influenza activity on their campuses. Flu activity is difficult to predict, but experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expect that flu activity - caused by 2009 H1N1 or seasonal flu viruses - will continue for weeks, and parts of the world may even see big outbreaks. This season the 2009 H1N1 virus has hit young adults especially hard in terms of illness, as most young people do not have immunity to the virus. For these reasons, the CDC and the American College Health Association (ACHA) continue to encourage all students, faculty and staff at universities and colleges to protect themselves against 2009 H1N1 by getting vaccinated. In addition to getting vaccinated, you can also take the following steps to help protect you from getting or spreading the flu and other illnesses while you're on break: Talk to your health care provider not only about 2009 H1N1, but also other recommended, routine vaccinations you may need if traveling, especially overseas. Visit the CDC's Travelers' Health website (www.cdc.gov/travel) for more information and healthy travel recommendations to prevent influenza and other illnesses during travel. You can also find special information about spring break travel. Stay away from people who appear sick or are coughing or sneezing. The main way the flu spreads is through the droplets of coughs and sneezes. Practice good hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing. If soap and water is not available, alcohol-based hand rubs are useful. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.Wash your hands often. Don't share drinking glasses or utensils - avoid drinking beverages mixed in a common container or eating after others. Stay home (or away from others) if you are sick for 24 hours after your fever is gone to prevent others from getting sick too. The full letter can be seen here: http://flu.gov/pdfs/acha_springbreak_letter.pdf.   Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4435/Tough-Decisions--Defending-the-Homeland-Airs-Tonight http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4435/Tough-Decisions--Defending-the-Homeland-Airs-Tonight The IUPUI Office of Emergency Preparedness was proud to support (and participate in) a counter-terrorism exercise sponsored by the IU Law School and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs in late 2008.  WFYI documented the exercise, and the resulting compelling documentary, "Tough Decisions: Defending the Homeland," takes viewers behind-the-scenes during a groundbreaking simulation of terrorism in Indiana's capital city.  Tough Decisions chronicles the minute-by-minute response as Law and SPEA students role-play government and civilian officials attempting to deal with sometimes faulty or incomplete information in an unfolding terrorist attack. Together, they must determine the best course of action and communication. The documentary features a number of Office of Emergency Preparedness interns, including Darcy Vinson, Ryan DeBenedittis, Nate Schaller, Ryan Sobierajski, Jordan Paris, and Kristen Hall.  All are current students or graduates of the SPEA program.  The documentary will be aired on WFYI-1 (Channel 20) at 7:30 tonight, January 21, 2010.  Let us know what you think on our Facebook page!  http://tiny.cc/Bk3O5   Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500