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NOAA predicts above normal storm season by Michael Baker Public Relations Welcome to the first week of hurricane season.  From June 1 to Nov. 30, Charleston and other cities along the Atlantic Coast cast a wary eye to sea, and with good reason. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that the Atlantic Coast will experience an above-normal hurricane season, with 12 to 15 tropical storms and six to eight hurricanes possible. Of those hurricanes, two to four could develop into major storms. Eight-year-old Jake Bolen of Charleston sneaks a peek at the Stanley power unit used to operate heavy rescue equipment aboard the Charleston County Volunteers' Heavy Rescue Truck with Charleston County volunteer Randy Erbe. The truck, the only one of its kind on the East Coast, supports Charleston County's mission. It is equipped with a 20,000-amp PT10 generator, 40-ft. 20,000 pound knuckle-board boom, and numerous rescue items. The rescue truck was among more than a dozen groups and emergency services vehicles on display at the annual Hurricane Awareness Day program May 28.  As part of its duty to prepare MUSC for a potential natural disaster, University Risk Management organized its annual Hurricane Awareness Day on May 28. As in previous years, the event enlisted local and national organizations to promote awareness and safety during hurricane season. “We want to ensure that MUSC employees have an effective hurricane plan for their families, children, and pets,” explained Rikki Jenkins, risk management’s business manager and organizer of this year’s event. Wayne Brannan, director of risk management, agreed. “We’re very concerned about the safety of our employees and their families,” he asserted. “The idea is to think about their families early on, so they won’t have to worry later.” And people are paying attention. In recent years, Hurricane Awareness Day has become very popular. According to Jenkins, many organizations were eager to participate in year’s event. “People really wanted to contribute,” she said. “Organizations actually were calling me to see if we had room for their information tables in the portico.” Many of the information tables provided valuable tools for emergency preparedness. The South Carolina Highway Patrol and the state’s Budget and Control Board presented their current evacuation plans. Traffic congestion in Charleston is a common occurrence—even in the absence of a natural disaster—so the organizations hope their plans will contribute to an orderly, smooth evacuation should the need arise. The South Carolina Emergency Preparedness Division also showed off its public communication displays that will appear along roadways during an evacuation. Despite the event’s success, Jenkins and Brannan understand that safety and education during hurricane season can’t be relegated to one day each year.  For that reason, University Risk Management keeps important emergency information on its Web site (http://www.musc.edu/fanda/risk/index.htm), including a notification plan and emergency numbers. According to Brannan, the site remains the most effective communication tool MUSC has for relaying important information to its employees. Perhaps due to the wealth of information it provides, the often-overlooked goal of University Risk Management is to empower MUSC employees to care for themselves during an emergency. During a hurricane or other natural disaster, MUSC represents a crucial cog in the community. The institution’s effectiveness depends on its ability to function as efficiently as possible. In that sense, Brannan said, MUSC encourages employees to stick to a preordained plan, rather than falling back on the institution for help. “We’re here to serve the community, but people need to realize that we’re not a shelter,” he explained. “During a hurricane, we only want the necessary employees to be here, for the safety of them and the community.” MUSC tries to limit the number of employees working during an emergency, using only the employees whose attendance is essential to the institution’s functions. “Check our Web site for any pertinent information before, during, and after an emergency,” Brannan added, “and talk to your supervisor about any special needs.”  Whatever your role at MUSC may be, University Risk Management remains dedicated to organizing disaster preparation at the university and medical center. Hurricane Awareness Day started the season off on the right note, and vigilance and education should prepare the community for the uncertainty of the coming months. The following organizations donated time and information to MUSC’s 2004 Hurricane Awareness Day: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, S.C. Emergency Management Division, Project Impact, S.C. Highway Patrol, American Red Cross, Charleston County Emergency Preparedness Division, S.C. Electric and Gas Company, Charleston County Rescue Squad, WCBD TV, S.C. State Climate Office, The Salvation Army, S.C. Budget and Control Board (Division of the State CIO), MUHA Safety and Security, MUSC Volunteer Services, MUSC Public Safety, and University Risk Management. Don't let any of 2004's hurricanes catch you off guard Alex Bonnie Charley Danielle Earl Frances Gaston Hermine Ivan Jeanne Karl Lisa Matthew Nicole Otto Paula Richard Shary Tomas Virginie Walter   Friday, June 4, 2004 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. 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