Officials prepare for possible storm repeat

    With temperatures dropping from the blistering days of summer to the freezing nights of winter, Murray State officials are already preparing for another possible ice storm.
    Richard Fritz, director of Dining Services, said one of the department’s primary goals for this season was to purchase a commercial-sized barbecue that requires no electricity and has a smoker; a goal that was met.
    The barbecue can cook a large amount of food and boil water to sanitary levels if electricity fails for several days, as it did in last year’s ice storm. Also, smoking certain foods would lessen the amount of food waste, Fritz said.
    Though Fritz said Dining Services did not purchase more generators, there are more coolers for storage.
    In the event of another major winter storm, Fritz said food options would be lower than usual because necessary food preparations, like refrigerating and cooking. He said an emergency menu, which consists of chicken, burgers and other food items, has already been made.
    “Food safety is no. 1,” Fritz said. “We want the least amount of restrictions for preparation.”
    The on-campus food centers will close and lock freezers and top off all propane tanks prior to a large storm, he said.
    Although the staff of Dining Services have already taken many preventive steps, Fritz said preparation is not enough.
    “Nothing is going to prevent losing food,” he said.
    Kim Oatman, chief facilities officer, said Facilities Management has started to preparing for the possibility of another winter storm, as well.
    “The south gym in Carr Health is prepared to put heat in there without power,” he said. “This is (because of) a steam system from Central Plant.”
    The gym could be the primary heating location for students, Oatman said, but that has not been finalized. The gym would also be powered by a back-up generator, he said.
    Oatman said the department purchased an 8,500 watt mobile generator and pumps to get fuel for vehicles and generators out of the ground. He said Facilities Management had purchased smaller, portable generators, too.
    “We’re also working with a contractor to clear drives, roads and sidewalks,” Oatman said.
    Contact Cash at laura.cash@murraystate.edu.