Delta State seeking input on DRU designation

CLEVELAND — A public hearing will be held Oct. 5 beginning at 5:30 p.m., in the Baioni Conference Center of Broom Hall at Delta State University to invite comments and suggestions as Delta State, local, and state officials work toward the university’s designation as a Disaster-Resistant University (DRU).

The DRU designation promotes a proactive approach to reducing and managing a university’s vulnerability to hazards. It ensures that universities have conducted a detailed analysis of potential hazards and ways to minimize them, as well as involving the necessary local officials and agencies in planning appropriate responses. With this designation, Delta State will be eligible to apply for federal funding to better address potential hazards and disaster response.

The meeting will be led by Jay C. Estes, regional operations manager and senior planner for Eco Systems Inc.; Bruce Laird, project engineer for Eco Systems Inc.; and Bob Neal, emergency and fire safety coordinator for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. The three prepared the risk analysis for Delta State. Representatives from various campus units will be on hand to answer questions, as well.