Mar 22, 2013 | St. Bonaventure University will conduct an emergency preparedness drill on Saturday, April 6, that will close campus access for a short time and re-route traffic on Union Street in Allegany.
Members of the Bonaventure community will be alerted to the start of the drill, and updated through the course of it, via the campus steam whistle, e2campus text alert system and campus email system.
If they have not already, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up for the free e2campus service by visiting
http://www.e2campus.com/my/stbu. You can also update your account and check your account expiration date by visiting this site.
The drill — scheduled to begin about 9 a.m. on that Saturday morning — will simulate a chemical spill from a rail car on the tracks near the west end of campus and involve more than a hundred role players and participants, from students portraying victims of the “spill,” to actual emergency responders from several agencies in the region. A smoke machine next to a rail car will be used to simulate the chemical leak.
The university conducted a campus lockdown four years ago during a “campus shooter” drill.
“It’s our obligation to be as prepared as possible for any number of possible emergencies, and with a rail line this close to campus, a chemical spill is one we should be prepared for,” said Vito Czyz, SBU’s director of Safety and Security. “It’s especially beneficial for all the responding agencies, from the police and fire officials, to the hazmat teams and local hospital. These drills are invaluable for them.”
The drill is expected to last about three hours, with campus closed to almost all entering and exiting traffic from roughly 9 to 10 a.m. until the simulated spill is “contained.” People who absolutely need to get on or off campus during this brief period should contact the Office of Safety and Security (375-2525) to make arrangements.
The west entrance to campus will remain closed for the duration of the drill, but traffic will be permitted to enter and exit at the main and Francis Road (east) entrances by 10 a.m. Cars located on the west side of campus will be allowed to exit after 10 a.m. through the main or Francis Road exits.
Other than students and staff acting as role players during the exercise, members of the campus community are asked to stay in their residence halls or work areas during the first hour of the drill with their windows closed, and to avoid walking or driving near the impacted drill area — near Shay-Loughlen halls and the west side of campus — for the entire drill.
Roughly 25 students will be recruited to act as victims of the spill, with many being treated on the scene and some transported to Olean General Hospital. Another 40 role-playing students will be evacuated from campus by bus to a local school.
External agencies taking part in the exercise include the New York State Police, Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department, Allegany and Olean Police, Olean General Hospital, Cattaraugus County Emergency Services, Allegany EMS and Fire Department, Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad, Allegany-Limestone Central School District, and the Transportation Security Administration