URI Emergency Management named Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently named the University of Rhode Island’s Office of Emergency Management a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador due to the office’s excellence in readiness, responsiveness and resilience.

"This designation recognizes that your institution has policies and procedures in place to deal with weather emergencies,” URI Emergency Management Specialist Joshua Manfredo said. “Being an ambassador puts us in touch with agencies that can help us with this…the Office of Emergency Management has earned a tremendous amount of credibility with the campus community because of its dedication to providing assistance based on the best information and practices.”

In its role as an ambassador, URI Emergency Management will serve as an example and work to educate the surrounding community on preparedness, as well as share its knowledge and experience with other ambassadors. The office will also promote NOAA’s messages and themes and collaborate with the federal organization.

“The designation reflects the spirit of how we see safety as everyone’s responsibility on campus, with our office providing leadership and guidance through the efforts of professionals like Josh,” URI assistant director of public safety and director of emergency management Samuel Adams said. “It’s a measure of our success that conference calls organized and conducted by Josh, the preparations made in advance of severe weather, and our leadership are now seen as routine parts of the process.”