Risk Management Magazine

Spring is here and along with it comes another push by emergency management professionals to prepare for hazards associated with warmer weather. Hazards vary throughout the country, but there’s one that can happen anywhere at any time — a tornado.

Since this was a weekday, I was hoping for an easy shift. Little did I know that wouldn’t be the case. At some point, rumors began circulating that a battalion-level room inspection was scheduled for the next morning. I watched the camera system as a cleaning frenzy ensued and bag after bag of garbage was marched out of the building and into an overflowing dumpster.

There is nothing wrong with using a portable generator during an emergency, but it must be used wisely and in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. When used in a confined space, generators can produce high levels of carbon monoxide within minutes.