Milton Hershey School is Recognized as National Weather Service StormReady® Community
HERSHEY, Pa. (PRWEB) July 07, 2016 -- National Weather Service officials have awarded Milton Hershey School a StormReady® Community designation. The StormReady® program helps community leaders and residents better prepare for hazardous weather and flooding through emergency management plans including training exercises and public alert systems.
“We take hazardous weather seriously, which is why we work to make sure everyone on the Milton Hershey School campus is equipped with the right information and level of preparation for an emergency situation,” said Rick Gilbert, MHS Senior Director of Campus Safety and Security. “Being recognized as a StormReady® community has validated our efforts, but also motivates the work we must continue to do to ensure campus safety.”
To be recognized as a StormReady® community, organizations must maintain a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center. They also must establish more than one way to receive National Weather Service warnings and alert the public accordingly. By monitoring local weather conditions, encouraging public readiness through community seminars, and developing a formal hazardous weather plan, Milton Hershey School has fulfilled the requirements of the StormReady® program.
“Milton Hershey School has undertaken great efforts to assure the students, staff and faculty are made aware of impending hazardous weather,” said Peter Jung, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service office. “This effort includes the ability to disseminate hazardous weather threats to the campus community.”
The nationwide community preparedness program was founded in 1999 and is part of the National Weather Service’s working partnership with the International Association of Emergency Managers and the National Emergency Management Association. Milton Hershey School’s StormReady® recognition is valid for three years, and the school joins more than 2,400 U.S. communities who are part of the program.
Milton Hershey School has implemented the program’s suggested emergency training and exercises, and remains committed to safeguarding the school when severe weather strikes. Learn more about the school at mhskids.org.
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ABOUT MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL
Milton Hershey School® is one of the world’s best private schools, offering a top-notch education and positive home life to children in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade from families of lower income at no charge.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
The National Weather Service’s State College Office, located in State College, PA is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for 33 counties in Central Pennsylvania. Working with partners, the National Weather Service is building a Weather-Ready Nation to support community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather. StormReady® is a registered trademark used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Keri Straub, Milton Hershey School, http://www.mhskids.org, +1 (717) 520-2212, [email protected]
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