TAMIU Celebrates StormReady Certification in Ceremony
Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) will celebrate the official confirmation of its National Weather Service (NWS) StormReady certification this Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library Colonnade.
Representatives from the National Weather Service’s Corpus Christi office and other dignitaries will join TAMIU president Dr. Pablo Arenaz for the event. Laredo’s meteorologist, Richard “Heatwave” Berler of KGNS-TV, will also address the significance of the StormReady designation in Laredo and Webb County.
TAMIU now becomes the first higher education institution in Webb County, and the sixth university in The Texas A&M University System to secure StormReady certification. The University now joins 3,198 Counties, Parishes, Communities, American Indian Nations, Government/Military Sites, Universities and Colleges, Commercial Sites, and Supporters across the United States to become the newest StormReady Site. TAMIU is the 250th Texas site to be certified StormReady and will be able to prominently display a special plaque noting its StormReady certification.
Daniel Berndt, TAMIU’s Environmental Health and Safety coordinator, explained the significance of the official StormReady certification.
“The StormReady program helps arm America’s communities with the communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property – before, during, and after a hazardous weather event. StormReady helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety communities. While no community is stormproof, StormReady can help communities save lives. The StormReady designation at TAMIU ensures that StormReady is a defined part of our campus’ safety mission – ensuring that everyone who sets foot on this campus is better prepared today than they were yesterday…and we’re looking out for them,” Berndt said.
He noted that pursuing the StormReady certification is an arduous process.
“It’s an intricate process that includes application, the development and execution of weather-related exercises, procuring various emergency response supplies, codifying relationships and responses with other agencies, and substantial explorations of existing emergency management and other preparedness efforts,” Berndt explained.
To learn more about the National Weather Service’s StormReady Program, visit https://www.weather.gov/stormready/
For additional information on TAMIU’s StormReady Certification, contact Daniel Berndt at daniel.berndt@tamiu.edu, call 956.326.2194, click on https://www.tamiu.edu/adminis/safety, or visit offices located in the University’s Physical Plant.
This story by Student Intern Dana Cadena
