Safety First

Fall 2022 Test of the Missouri State Alert System

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The fall test of the Missouri State Alert system will occur on Tuesday, August 3oth at 10:50 a.m. The test will provide an email to all members of the campus community. It will also send a text and voice message to those that have provided this information. If you do not receive this test via the methods you desire, please go to the Missouri State Alert website to manage your preferences or to learn more about this vital communications tool. This test provides a good opportunity to review your emergency plans.

Also, if you want to have the latest safety information, subscribe to the Safety First blog. Safety tips and crime information is posted throughout the semester. Finally, if you need additional information, please visit the University Safety website.

Health department providing fee PCR testing today

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The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is providing free PCR COVID-19 testing today on the second floor of PSU from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary and results will be returned the following day. They will be providing pizza to those that test.

This event is open to students, faculty, staff and families.

University Safety and SGA host Spring Break Vehicle Inspections

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Campus Safety and Transportation services, in partnership with the Student Government Association, hosted a free vehicle inspection on March 9, 2022 outside  of the Transportation Services Office.

Staff assisted students in checking their vehicle’s headlights and taillights, tires, and fluid levels. Students also learned how to perform the checks themselves.

“Students often neglect vehicle maintenance before taking a trip. The vehicle inspection allowed us to educate students about maintenance and identify specific concerns with their vehicles” Jason Sanders, Campus Safety Supervisor.

“It was a great opportunity to connect with students and check their vehicles for issues before they headed off to spring break destinations.” John Matthews, Transportation Manager, said.

 

MSU to participate in statewide tornado drill

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On Tuesday, March 8, 2022, Missouri will hold its annual statewide tornado drill at 10:00 a.m. Missouri State University participates in this annual drill. It provides a good test and review of our tornado procedures. During this drill, all faculty, staff and students are asked to react in accordance with the University’s Emergency Action Plan Severe Weather and Tornado Procedures. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these procedures before the drill. For a complete list of shelter locations, go to the Building Evacuation and Shelter Locations Reference Chart.

Tornado Facts

  • Tornado sirens are designed as a warning for people outdoors.
  • Wind speeds can reach in excess of 300 mph.
  • Paths of destruction can be more than a mile wide and 50 miles long.
  • Tornadoes can occur at any time of day, but most frequently occur between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
  • Tornadoes in Missouri peak March through June, but can occur at any time of year.
  • Missouri has averaged 46.7 tornadoes per year.
  • Missouri is in the top 10 states that experience tornadoes and is part of “Tornado Alley”.
  • The U.S. averages 70 deaths per year from tornadoes.
  • Tornadoes are measured on the Enhanced Fujita Tornado Scale (EF) and can be EF0 – EF5 rated; only a few (0.1%) in the United States annually achieve EF5 status.

Be Smart. Stay Safe!

NOTE: If there is the potential for severe weather on March 8th, the drill will be rescheduled to 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 10th.

Catalytic converter theft ring indicted

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Missouri State University applauds the work of the Springfield Police Department, its law enforcement partners and federal prosecutors in stopping a multi-million dollar catalytic converter theft ring operating in the Springfield area. Last year, 12 catalytic converters were stolen from vehicles owned by students, employees and the university and two other thefts in process were interrupted by Campus Safety.

Fortunately, the University has a robust camera system that was able to be used to identify some of the individuals involved. This information was provided to the Springfield Police Department’s MSU substation as part of the evidence that led to federal charges being filed. Associate Director of University Safety Andrew Englert said, “This has been a frustrating situation for our campus community, so we are very pleased to see serious actions being taken to discourage others from similar actions.”

University Safety has a dispatch center that operates 24 hours each day, seven days per week monitoring over 750 university cameras and supporting the 20 campus safety personnel 10 Springfield Police Officers assigned to the MSU substation who are out in the field patrolling the campus to reduce crime on campus. This situation reinforces the benefits of the relationship between the University and the Springfield Police Department. More information on the investigation and the federal charges is available on local news outlets.