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Hurricane Awareness Day promotes preparation, planning by Cindy Abole Public Relations  You don’t need Doppler radar or satellite imagery to know that hurricane season is fast approaching. It’s a time when tensions and anxieties strike high for many Lowcountry and coastal residents. The official season begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30. The National Weather Service predicts another active year with 12 named storms —four expected to be major hurricanes—affecting the Atlantic coast. But like any impending catastrophic event, good preparation and an efficient plan can help avoid chaos, injury and even loss of lives. To help in effective communications, readiness and preparation, MUSC University Risk Management will sponsor a Hurricane Awareness Day on campus May 25. The first of its kind, the program is designed to educate and inform university employees, staff, faculty and students about hurricane preparation and recovery. These procedures combine current medical center and university policies so they work in unison. The event will feature tri-county representatives from city, county and statewide departments, emergency vehicles and equipment on the Horseshoe and portico areas. Other key MUSC departments and staffs including Public Safety, Medical Center and Public Relations will also be featured.  Highlighting the event will be a midday town meeting featuring Boykin Rose, director of  South Carolina Department of Public Safety, and Sheriff Al Cannon, Charleston County Police Department. Both officials will address the state and county’s readiness for hurricane evacuations.  “Given the recent number of hurricanes affecting the greater Charleston area, it is necessary to provide universitywide coordination and education for university employees, staff, faculty and students,” said Wayne Brannan, director of University Risk Management. “In an effort to ensure everyone’s awareness of MUSC’s procedures during severe weather as well as state and local officials' readiness for the approaching hurricane season, we are proud to sponsor MUSC Hurricane Awareness Day.” Brannan and event organizer Tiffany Chellis, environmental quality manager, coordinated the one-day plans with Public Safety Chief Charles Wiley and his staff. The idea stemmed from the pair’s recent visit to the state’s hurricane conference sponsored by the S.C. Emergency Preparedness Division (SCEPD) in Hilton Head. The conference gathered statewide departments and organizations, resources and vendors that are involved in severe weather preparation and recovery. Participants for MUSC’s event include: SCEPD; American Red Cross; Charleston County Emergency Preparedness Division; S.C. Highway Patrol; Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Charleston Police Department and the John Ancrum SPCA. Food vendors will be available and hourly door prizes will be awarded. “The event takes our current policies with the medical center and university a step further,” said Jacquelyn Jones, director of human resources. Jones manages the university’s hazardous weather policy that helps define the roles and work responsibilities of designated employees should an emergency be declared. “This program provides a service to our employees and the community,” Jones said. “University Risk Management should be commended for their coordinated efforts,” said Al Nesmith, director for disaster preparedness and safety, security and volunteer services for the Medical Center. “This program helps to ensure better preparedness. It’s an opportunity to help reinforce our plans with hospital staff and review procedures with new employees and students.”  MUSC already plays an active role in other county disaster preparedness exercises and statewide drills to prepare for various disaster scenarios from hazardous material spills and radiation safety to bad weather emergencies and terrorist activities. Nesmith serves on numerous local, statewide and national emergency, disaster preparedness and safety committees and programs  representing MUSC. For information, contact University Risk Management at 792-0757. 2000 Hurricane Name   Alberto Beryl Chris Debby Ernesto Florence Gordon Helene Isaac Joyce Keith Leslie Michael Nadine Oscar Patty Rafael Sandy Tony Valerie William Post hurricane safety tips: be alert, aware dangers exist For those who have evacuated:  Do not return to your home until you have been directed to do so; upon returning, do not turn on any electronic equipment until the electricity has been safely restored; be sure to check all electronic equipment for water damage. If you are uncertain, throw the item away. It is better to be safe than to risk electrocution; do not touch the gas until it has been determined that it is safe to turn it back on.  Tips for everyone to follow:   If there has been structural damage to your home, or to trees in your yard, be very careful. Ask for assistance from fire and rescue officials before you risk getting injured from fallen debris. Get bottled water. It is quite possible that local water supplies may be contaminated. If power remains disrupted, use flashlights. Candles left unattended can start fires. Be sure to guard against spoiled food. If the power was disrupted, food in the refrigerator may have spoiled. Freezers will keep food for several days if the doors were left closed after the power went off. Do not refreeze food once it begins to thaw.  Editor's note: Information obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website <http://www.nws.noaa.gov/>