Virginia Homeland Security Announcement Relayed to the James Madison Community from the Office of Public Safety

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Governor Mark Warner and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management have announced that the nation's threat level has been elevated to Code ORANGE – HIGH RISK. Please disseminate the following recommendations and information to fellow members of the campus community through any means available. Some specific suggestions for citizens from Virginia's Homeland Security Terrorist Threat Warning System are found below for reference to help in determining appropriate actions to be taken. Take note that much or most of this information applies to areas off campus and beyond the Shenandoah Valley rather than here on campus. Please note that the Code ORANGE – HIGH RISK announcement was issued nationwide and is not unique to the Shenandoah Valley or the campus of James Madison University.

James Madison University's Office of Public Safety (JMUPD) maintains various response protocols based upon the threat level at the national and local level as well as various anticipated contingencies to mitigate risk to the university community. Go to http://www.jmu.edu/safetyplan/index.shtml and http://www.jmu.edu/pubsafety/index.shtml for more information. Out of necessity for certain security considerations some sections of the Comprehensive Safety Plan are password protected.

JMUPD wants to make you aware of the impact of this state of alert to the campus community by providing general information about the institutional response the campus can expect and what is expected of community members during these uncertain times. We have all many means for communication. As events transpire various means of communication with and for our community will be maintained for you to monitor what is transpiring. These range from our short range (2-5 miles) AM Informational radio station (AM1610), all-account e-mail broadcasts, all-office FAX broadcasts (JMU Extra), and the web http://www.jmu.edu to networking in the residence halls and classes. Available are public and commercial broadcasts through WXJM-FM 88.7, WMAR-FM 90.7 (NPR) and WVPT-TV (PBS) Channel 51 (Cable Channel 7) right on campus. We have WSVA-AM 550 & WQPO-FM 100.7, WKCY AM 1300 & FM, WHBG-AM 1360 and WHSV-TV Channel 3 (Cable Channel 11) in Harrisonburg. The campus has its own broadband cable network for television and data transmission (public notices on Channel 15) . Adelphia Cable provides service for off campus users (public notices on City Span Channel 3). Each of our five marked and three unmarked police vehicles has a public address system incorporated into its audio hailer/siren units. 433-5300, normally the inclement weather information number, is available for other emergency advisories.

For the duration of the heightened threat condition, JMUPD will engage in the following activities on a daily basis to augment normal safety and security activities:

• Maintain an institutional liaison with local, state, and federal agencies to facilitate information sharing with the campus community; and,
  
  
• Provide increased uniformed police officer visibility at designated areas and during campus special events;

What You Can Do As a JMU Community Member

Some of the points found below only apply to faculty and staff but we have sent this advisory to better inform all members of the university community as directed by the Virginia Department of Homeland Security. Hopefully the information provided helps allay your concerns in this uncertain time, and demonstrates to you JMU's commitment to providing the safest community possible. We trust that the preceding and following information will clarify and assist you in your role in our collective efforts to maintain the safety of the campus.

As a member of the community we ask that you be vigilant in immediately reporting suspicious activity that you observe on campus. Your intimate knowledge of personal space and areas you frequent on campus enable you to best judge persons or conditions that are out of place or suspicious. When you observe anything that seems out of the ordinary, we encourage you to immediately call JMUPD at 6911 from a campus phone or 540-568-6911 from cell phones. If off campus, call city/county Emergency Operations at 9-1-1. Your assistance in alerting us to suspicious conditions, events, or persons is a critical component of maintaining a safe and secure campus. JMUPD is dependent on a collaborative campus community to successfully maintain a safe campus.

Concerns have been raised about the availability of food and water in cases of emergency and general advisements for individuals to stock emergency rations that will last for a three-day period. As it would be impossible to stock food and water for over 10,000 people for anything more than a short duration it is recommended that you purchase food and fruit drinks in cans or seal packs (vacuum packed camp and trail food in compact, space efficient containers) as well as purchase or prepare your own bottled water for personal use.

You may want to consider keeping your own supplies of these items and additional items such as a flashlight, spare batteries, a portable radio, at least 30 days worth of prescription medications, and other necessary personal supplies. In the event of a campus emergency, we will utilize all available state and federal disaster relief agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) to provide food and water should an emergency arise.

In review of and addition to all previously mentioned precautions, citizens are advised to:

• Report suspicious activities and call 8-6911 (568-6911) for immediate response on campus, 9-1-1 off campus. Examples are persons taking photographs of critical facilities, asking detailed questions about physical security or dressed inappropriately for weather conditions (suicide bomber). Report these incidents immediately to law enforcement.
  
  
• Expect delays, searches of purses and bags, and restricted access to public buildings.
  
  
• Expect traffic delays and restrictions.
  
  
• Take personal security precautions to avoid becoming a victim of crime or terrorist attack.
  
  
• Avoid crowded public areas and gatherings.
  
  
• Do not travel into areas affected by the attack or is an expected terrorist target.
  
  
• Keep emergency supplies accessible and automobile fuel tank full.
  
  
• Be prepared to evacuate your home or shelter in place on order of local authorities.
  
  
• Be suspicious of persons taking photographs of critical facilities, asking detailed questions about physical security or dressed inappropriately for weather conditions (suicide bomber). Report these incidents immediately to law enforcement.
  
  
• Closely monitor news reports and Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio/TV stations.
  
  
• Develop and review family emergency plans.
  
  
• Be prepared for disasters and family emergencies.
  
  
• Increase family emergency preparedness by purchasing supplies, food, and storing water.
  
  
• Assist neighbors who may need help.
  
  
• Avoid passing unsubstantiated information and rumors.
  
  
• Continue normal activities but be watchful for suspicious activities. Report criminal and suspicious activity to local law enforcement. Continue to enjoy individual freedom. Participate freely in travel, work, and recreational activities.
  
  
• Take a first aid or Certified Emergency Response Technician (CERT) class.
  
  
• Become active in your local Neighborhood Crime Watch program.
  
  
• Network with your family, neighbors, and community for mutual support during a disaster or terrorist attack.
  
  
• Learn what critical facilities are located in your community and report suspicious activities at or near these sites.
  
  
• Contact local officials to learn about specific hazards in your community.
  
  
• Increase individual or family emergency preparedness through training, maintaining good physical fitness and health, and storing food, water, and emergency supplies.
  
  
• Be familiar with local natural and technological (man made) hazards in your community and what measures you can take to protect your family.
  
  
• Keep recommended immunizations up-to-date.
  
  
• Know how to turn off your power, gas, and water service to your house.
  
  
• Know what hazardous materials are stored in your home and how to properly dispose of unneeded chemicals.
  
  
• Support the efforts of your local emergency responders (fire fighters, law enforcement and emergency medical service).
  
  
• Volunteer to assist and support the community emergency response agencies.

Providing information about all disaster scenarios is impossible given the variety of potential threats that might occur. You are encouraged to learn more about preparing for specific emergencies by visiting the pertinent web sites:

Thank you for your diligence and understanding

Alan MacNutt, Director of Public Safety