Tornado Preparedness
The following supplies will be necessary to protect and sustain your employees in the event that a tornado leaves you temporarily stranded in the office building:
- Food. Stock your office with non-perishable and easy-to-store food products such as dehydrated foods and food bars.
- Water. Keep at least a three-day supply of purified water. It is recommended that you stock two quarts of water per day, per employee.
- Emergency Lighting. Flashlights, flares, light sticks.
- Batteries. Keep a fresh supply
- Medical. Keep a well-stocked First Aid Kit. Choose kits designed to treat earthquake- related injuries such as heavy bleeding, shock and broken bones.
- Blankets. Lightweight fire and shock retardant emergency blankets.
- Radios. Portable transistor radios with extra batteries and two-way radios.
- Fire Extinguisher.
- Medications. Persons on medication should keep a 72-hour supply in their desk.
Additional supplies to consider:
- Heavy Work Gloves
- Hard Hats and Goggles
- Work Shoes
- Generator
- Shovels, Crowbars
- Catalytic Heater
- Dust Masks
- Chemical Toilets, Waste Bags, Lime
- Water Purification Tablets
- Sleeping Bags and Cots
- Portable Stove
- Eating Utensils
- Instant Icepack
- Pre-moistened Towelettes
There are two designations placed on a tornado: a watch and a warning. A tornado watch indicates weather conditions are right for a tornado. A tornado warning indicates that a tornado has been sighted in the immediate area.
In the Event of a Tornado Watch
- Whoever is made aware of the threatening weather should notify the office manager, designated Floor Warden and the Management Office.
- Floor Warden or office managers should alert all staff of the watch.
- Once you have been notified of the watch, please do the following:
- Immediately close the blinds in your office.
- Once this is accomplished, stay away from the windows.
- Remain at your normal work station.
- Tune in any battery operated radios to a station with weather updates.
- If possible, you should remain in the building until the weather has cleared.
In the Event of a Tornado Warning
- Move away from the perimeter of the building (windowed areas) toward the center of the building and close the doors behind you.
- Floor Wardens and other emergency personnel will direct you towards corridors, stairwells and elevator lobbies.
- Do not exit these designated areas or use elevators.
- Protect yourself by placing your head close to your knees and covering your neck with your hands.
- If you cannot reach a corridor or lobby in time, the next safest place is under a desk, table or chair.
- Remain in the designated area until an announcement has been made by designated emergency personnel or building management that it is safe to return to your work station.
- Once everyone has returned to their workstation, emergency personnel should assist Building Management in accounting for all employees.
- If anyone has been injured, designated emergency personnel should assist where possible and follow the Medical Emergency Procedures outlined in this chapter.
- If any portion of your offices or surrounding building areas have been damaged, please notify Building Management immediately.