by Rob Strauss
Staff Writer
Due to state regulations, a contingency management task force met Wednesday afternoon to begin creating a plan that will help prepare La Verne in the case of an emergency situation.
State regulations require that the University of La Verne have a plan of this sort in order to receive state aid after an emergency.
President Stephen Morgan, who appointed the task force, feels that it would be better for the University to have a plan in place before an emergency situation occurs.
“We have a lot of potential for trauma on this campus,” said Dr. Morgan.
The University also needs to be prepared due to the fact that the fire department has many other priorities in the case of an emergency.
“We would not be looking to them for help,” said Oris Barber, director of human resources. “They would be looking to us for help.”
Ron Sillo, La Verne fire marshal, stated that in the event of an emergency they would first get all of their units out of the station and follow up by driving around and assessing damage in the city. He mentioned some of their priorities, such as making sure Brackett Airfield remains open and helping people that are in large assembly arenas like the Edwards movie theater.
Furthermore, Sillo mentioned that the fire truck would only stop “to see what is going on” and would not have time to help people.
“We will have a host of emergencies and they will just bottle us up,” said Sillo. “We expect a lot of problems.”
This leaves the University completely on its own when it comes to preparation.
The Contingency Management Program would also improve the University’s ability to recover from financial losses and regulatory fines, reduce exposure to civil or criminal liability in the event of an incident and it may reduce insurance premiums.
The organization of the task force this month coincides with Earthquake Awareness Month in California.
Currently, the task force is in the process of putting together subcommittees to assess and reduce hazards, educate employees and visitors to the campus about contingency planning, and acquire necessary equipment in the case of an emergency.
Carol Ann Moore, the facilitator of the task force, does not feel the University is currently prepared for a disaster. She feels that this is normal for a university.
“It is not a lot worse than other places,” said Moore.
Cal State Northridge had just completed its contingency planning before the Northridge earthquake struck in 1994.
Moore hopes to have to plan ready by April of next year.
According to Moore, the main focus of the task force will be on its response to emergencies.
“We’ve already got a pretty effective preparation program,” said Moore.
Moore is trying to encourage University employees to keep a “grab and go” bag with them for preparedness in an emergency. The bag should include a flashlight, whistle, flat shoes, identification and food.
In the future, Moore would like to plan a full scale exercise that would possibly include theater students acting out a natural disaster.
The first full scale exercise is being planned for April 1997.
Furthermore, Moore would also like to have more drills like the one that took place last month.
“The drills are going to be held on a more regular basis,” said Moore. “I would like to see drills at odd times, like at night.”
Moore would like to educate students who are not from California on preparation for natural disasters. She is not sure how the students will be notified of the drills yet.
Another activity that is being planned is for the task force to work with the fire department at its open house in April.
“It will enhance closer relations between us and emergency services,” said Moore.
“The fire department is very pleased,” said Moore.
She is currently looking for more volunteers to join the task force.
“The task force is definitely not an elite, invitation only group,” said Moore. “It is open to anyone in the ULV community.”
