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MUSC offers up-to-date information during hurricane season

by Weslynn Chubb
Public Relations
Felix, Iris, Wendy and Pablo. Such innocent names are ones that could be taking Charleston by storm. Literally. 
 
Along with Allison, Jerry and a list of others, these names for the 2001 Atlantic hurricanes signal the presence of hurricane season and a time when the Lowcountry begins to prepare for what could possibly be the worst. 
 
The Medical University's Risk Management Department is at the forefront of the effort to prepare MUSC for weather-related emergencies such as hurricanes. With the help of various local organizations such as Salvation Army and the South Carolina National Guard, Risk Management is working to ensure that employees, faculty and staff are aware of current emergency plans in the case of a hurricane this year. Along with traditional procedures, however, are new and improved services, such as the pet shelter in the Rutledge Tower garage and the state's Emergency Communications Vehicle, which were showcased during Hurricane Awareness Day on Wednesday, May 30 in the Horseshoe. 
 
The Emergency Communications Vehicle is a service offered to the state by the South Carolina Emergency Preparedness Division. The purpose of the vehicle is to help allocate needed resources and maintain communications support in the case of an emergency. 
 
Participants of Hurricane Awareness Day were given the opportunity to view the vehicle and learn about the services it offers. 
 
“We often take the vehicle to events to give the public an opportunity to take a tour of the vehicle and see demonstrations of its capabilities,” said Buddy Jordan of the South Carolina Office of Information Resources, according to the SCEPD's Palmetto Review. 
 
The vehicle is equipped with radio, cellular and satellite machinery and also has the ability to serve as a command post at the scene of an emergency in order to assist in contacting medical, police and other similar services. 
 
Pet care is another service that was highlighted during Hurricane Awareness Day. The university now offers a pet shelter for designated employees in the Rutledge Tower garage in the case of a hurricane. The shelter has the ability to house around 50 cats and dogs. Up-to-date vaccination records are required in order to take advantage of the pet shelter's services and are limited to designated employees of the university. 
 
Other pet shelters that are open to the public are offered through the John Ancrum SPCA at the North Charleston Coliseum and other private kennels. A listing of these shelters is available in MUSC's Severe Weather Plan at the MUSC Hurricane Advisory Information Web site at <http://www.musc.edu/weatheremergency/>. 
 
Along with offering helpful information on pet shelters, the Severe Weather Plan is also a comprehensive guide to the university's official emergency procedures, including employee responsibilities, evacuation routes and other relevant information. 
 
The plan can also be accessed through the Emergency Info link on the university's main Web site at <http://www.musc.edu>. 
 
In the case that a storm may be approaching the area, the Web site also offers timely information on closings, evacuations and other necessary procedures. 
 
The MUSC 24-hour information line and the internal broadcast message system are also valuable resources for finding up-to-date information. 
 
For additional information call 792-MUSC (792-6872) or visit the university's Web site. 

2001 Hurricane Names
Allison
Barry
Chantal
Dean
Erin
Felix
Gabrielle
Humberto
Iris
Jerry
Karen
Lorenzo
Michelle
Noel
Olga
Pablo
Rebekah
Sebastien
Tanya
Van
Wendy