Memorandum

To: Mike Wildgen, City Manager

From: Bobbie Walthall, Executive Secretary

Date: June 10, 2004

Re:     Storm Shelter/Safe Room Information

Ms. Jane Graves dropped off a packet of information asking the City to adopt a new ordinance for construction or an amendment to the current building codes that every new dwelling and new school built within the city limits shall include or provide immediate access to an underground storm shelter or safe room meeting FEMA standards.

Ms. Graves also provided the following links for Commissioners to view various case studies and frequently asked questions fact sheet.  I have provided the links in this memo.

Case studies for "Protecting School Children from Tornadoes: State of Kansas School Shelter Initiative" and "Residential Safe Rooms: Background and Research”:  http://www.fema.gov/mit/saferoom/casestudies.shtm

Frequently asked questions about safe rooms:  http://www.fema.gov/mit/saferoom/faq.shtm#1