JESSICA MERRIFIELD / Scroll
The University Emergency Committee ensures that BYU-Idaho is prepared for anything from bioterrorism to natural disasters. Food storage is located in the Auxilary Services Building.

Campus prepares to care for community in emergency

Heidi Hatch HAT01008@BYUI.EDU Scroll Staff

Rexburg is no stranger to natural disasters. When the Teton Dam broke in 1976, then Ricks College responded as a refuge of dry ground for the damaged community. University officials continue to prepare for any coming emergencies.

In an address given Oct. 1, President Gordon B. Hinckley stressed the importance of being prepared for natural disasters.

“We have built grain storages and storehouses ... with the necessities of life in the event of a disaster,” said President Hinckley.

President Hinckley reiterated a past statement given in Oct. 1998 when he said “that the time has come to get our houses in order … There is a portent of stormy weather ahead to which we had better give heed.”

Though the city is not vulnerable to hurricanes, Rexburg is still at risk to earthquake, fire, flooding, severe winter storms or tornados, said Administrative Vice President James Smyth.

These are a few natural emergencies already prepared for by the University Emergency Committee. Overseen by Smyth, this team of emergency officials meets monthly and have routine drills to help them stay prepared for whatever might come.

“It’s hard to outguess things that could happen,” said Shane Webster, the University Emergency Center manager. “The happenings in Louisiana have made us think [about] if we really are ready.”

In a meeting held Sept. 28, they were trained by Hazardous Materials Specialist Byron Gilbert on bioterrorism.

“We don’t plan for all possible disasters that may occur, but we work processes that allow us to be flexible in any situation,” said Smyth. “I have to have people who know the institution and how to direct it.”

Charles Anderson, facilities director on campus and operations officer for the UEC deals daily with problems.

The UEC works with the Local Emergency Planning Committee for the City of Rexburg and Madison County along with the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security to make sure all resources are in place in case of emergency.

For meetings and disaster strikes, the UEC gathers in the Spencer W. Kimball Building, room 138. This section of the Kimball Building is specially designed and built to withstand severe conditions, Webster said.

Room 138 has shelves stocked with water, blankets, lights, walkie-talkies, telephones, full meals ready to eat, paper towels, campus information including maps and floor plans of every building, and cable TV to monitor outside information and news.

If disaster struck today, BYU-I is ready to feed 12,000 students for 72 hours. Enough generators and supplies are available to keep that many warm, said Smyth.

“It’s important that [students] be part of the solution,” said Smyth.