C.W. Post Campus Stages Mock Disaster Drill

Brookville, N.Y. – Students, staff and local emergency responders took part in a disaster drill at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University on Friday, April 21, 2006, reacting to a simulated release of toxic fumes in an exercise that tested the preparedness and procedures of on-campus and municipal public safety officials.

More than 1,600 students and staff were affected by the drill. Most of them “sheltered in place” in their classroom buildings. Approximately 110 students and faculty members were evacuated from Humanities Hall and approximately 60 were evacuated from the Theatre, Film and Dance building. The evacuees from Humanities Hall were taken to Hillwood Commons, the student union building at C.W. Post, and evacuees from the Theatre, Film and Dance building were taken to the campus’ nearby Kahn Discovery Center.

While the campus community was given general notice that a drill would take place, specific actions and locations were not disclosed. The unrehearsed participation of students, professors, staff and administrators presented rescuers with an authentic simulation of the conditions that would exist in the event of a real emergency.

The exercise was underwritten with a grant secured by New York State Sen. Michael Balboni, who chairs the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs, which oversees and approves legislation relating to all aspects of homeland security. He is a member of the board of advisors of the Long Island University’s Homeland Security Management Institute.

“The safety of our students and Campus personnel is of paramount importance,” said C.W. Post Provost Joseph Shenker. “This exercise gave us an invaluable opportunity to train our staff in disaster preparedness, evacuation methods and rescue techniques in coordinating with outside agencies. We’re grateful to those agencies for their participation and to Sen. Balboni for securing the resources for this vitally important effort.”

The exercise was organized by the C.W. Post Department of Public Safety. “This limited functional drill gave us an excellent opportunity to refine our disaster planning and emergency response procedures,” said Dianna Pennetti, director of C.W. Post’s Department of Public Safety. “It provided an opportunity for local public safety agencies to work together and enhance coordination.”

Participating organizations include the Old Brookville Police Department; Old Westbury Police Department; Nassau County Office of Emergency Management; Nassau County Fire CommissionOffice of the Fire Marshal; Nassau County HAZ–MAT Division; Nassau County Police Department’s Emergency Ambulance Bureau; Nassau County Police Department (Second Precinct)and Community Safety Unit; North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health Systemand the Roslyn Rescue/Fire Departments. The C.W. Post Department of Public Safety Office spearheaded the exercise.

For more information visit, www.liu.edu/drill.

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Posted April 21, 2006