By Sheri Tanaka
Twenty percent of all terrorist incidents occur on college campuses, said Kerry Baum, BYU emergency preparedness coordinator.
BYU has not made many changes since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks because the university was already well prepared before then, Baum said.
The Risk Emergency Center had previously determined solutions to a variety of scenarios of dangers and hazards.
It has continually worked towards better communication and has stocked food for the entire student body.
BYU has enough food prepared for 33,000 people for three days for at least two meals a day, said Baum.
The University of Utah was already reevaluating their emergency preparedness because of the Olympics when the attacks occurred, said Coralie Alder, Director of Public Relations, but they “raised the awareness level for us.”
Alder emphasized the importance of continually improving communication at the U of U because of the hospital facilities that assist individuals, especially during crises.
“We are very confident we have an effective crisis management plan, but we will continually review it as needed to make sure we meet the needs on campus. I think it”s something everyone needs to do,” said Alder.
“Students should spend the time learning what they can do for the various hazards that may occur,” said Baum.
To help communications at BYU, a new emergency telephone system will be installed around campus, said Lieutenant Greg Barber with the BYU Police and Manager of the Administrative Services. “It”s the little call boxes that if you pick it up it”s a direct call to the police dispatchers. Can anybody be totally prepared for anything? No, but we do the very best we can.”
Kerry Baum recommended that students buy groceries for one week to be more prepared individually. They should store three gallons of water in multiple two-liter soda-bottles and have a supply of medications they use often. If students are married and have children, they should have a three-day supply of diapers, formulas and medication stored.
After Sept. 11, business at Emergency Essentials, a store in Orem, increased as people felt an urgency to be more prepared for potential dangers, said Jonathan Cunningham, Assistant Manager at the store.
Emergency Essentials provides customers with items ranging from first aid, water storage, water treatments, food storage, 72-hour kits, backpacking and camping gear, Cunningham said.
