RICHMOND, Virginia –
Devastating tornadoes hit Virginia Feb. 24, killing three in Waverly and another in Appomattox County, and injuring multiple people in Tappahannock. The storms left families, neighborhoods and communities in destruction that will take months and years to rebuild. Tornadoes can happen anytime, anywhere, with little or no warning. Knowing what to do can save lives.
Defense Supply Center Richmond will participate in the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and National Weather Service annual statewide Tornado Drill here from 9:45-10:45 a.m., March 22. All employees are encouraged to take an active role and practice tornado safety in their workplace.
The drill will include Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, DLA Installation Support at Richmond and DSCR tenant activities.
DLA Installation Support at Richmond urges employees to review what to do before a tornado strikes.
All appointed safety representatives are asked to go through their work center safety plans and for leaders to use staff meetings and town halls as an opportunity to talk about what to do in case a tornado touches down on the installation prior to the event.
Proper familiarization and preparation is the key to a smooth exercise.
What to expect:
On March 22 at 9:45 a.m. the National Weather Service will send out a test tornado warning over the installation’s Giant Voice speaker system. DLA Installation Support at Richmond’s and Security and Emergency Services will initiate the installation’s mass warning system to include tones and messages notifying employees of the exercise and appropriate responses.
DLA Police, Fire and Emergency Services will respond and evacuate the Southern Administrative Complex Trailers. The Bettye Ackerman-Cobb Child Development Center will practice in place protective measures and be evaluated by the fire department. SAC evacuation should take 10-20 minutes and supervisors must account for all employees.
Supervisors should designate one or more people in their organization to coordinate the drill and follow these steps:
- ensure employees are aware of the tornado drill and are aware of tornado evacuation procedures found in the Employee Emergency Action Guide;
- move to the basement and away from windows or to a windowless interior room such as a closet, bathroom or interior hall on lowest level of building;
- use stairs and avoid using elevators;
- in an actual tornado emergency, posture by crouching down low on the floor, face down, cover head; and
- wait for end-of-drill announcement.
Employees can visit the Virginia Emergency Management website for additional information on conducting tornado drills.