Contact: Maridith Geuder
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State administrators, staff members and local officials are beginning a series of regular "tabletop" exercises designed to ensure prompt, coordinated response to potential disaster situations.
Convened for the first time last week by university President Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong, the group was presented with a hypothetical emergency. Each member was asked to share the specific response protocols of his or her department or office.
In addition to key university administrators, attending members represented the Division of Student Affairs, including the MSU Police Department, as well as facilities, public information and other campus units.
Starkville Fire Chief William Grantham outlined community and regional emergency resources.
Foglesong, who provided the group with specific follow-up assignments, was serving at the Pentagon during the 9/11 terrorist attack. He told the group that deadly experience, along with other experiences during his long career as a top U.S. Air Force commander, has made him deeply appreciative of the importance to plan in advance for natural and man-made disasters.
"We want to ensure that Mississippi State is prepared to respond effectively and that we have effectively coordinated with appropriate local and state officials," he said.
Foglesong said additional community representatives will be invited to participate in the successive monthly exercises.
"The safety of our campus is one of our highest priorities," he added.
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For additional information, contact MSU Dean of Students Mike White at 662-325-3611 or mike@saffairs.msstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.