Frankenmuth

B Y J U L I E F E L T E N , A T , A T C , F R A N K E N M U T H H I G H S C H O O L , D I V E R S I F I E D P H Y S I C A L T H E R A P Y S P E C I A L I S T S C E R T I F I E D A T H L E T I C T R A I N E R This National Weather Service slogan and many others pop into our heads when we see or hear an approaching summer storm. While we may want to continue with our outdoor activities, storms can move quickly, and put us at risk. The Frankenmuth School District follows guidelines to keep our students safe when the weather is unpredictable. With technology today, we don't have to rely on the old counting flash to bang ratio to determine proximity to the approaching unsafe conditions. The district utilizes technology to make outdoor decisions and even has a weather station positioned on the roof of the high school gymnasium. It is accessible to everyone! Earth Networks along with WNEM brought the "Weather Bug" app to our attention a few years back and helped us with the equipment. Download the free app and choose Frankenmuth High as your location. "When under Roars, Go Indoors!" The Michigan High School Athletic Association policy states, "When lightning is observed or thunder is heard and the contest is suspended, contestants shall not return to the playing field until lightning has been absent from the local sky and thunder has not been heard for 30 minutes." With this in mind, most local coaches and administrators receive lightning text alerts from our station when a detection is sensed within 10 miles of school grounds. Students are taken inside the school and spectators advised to seek shelter. The system sends a second alert 30 minutes after the last strike within that 10 mile radius. This notice provides the "all clear" for activities to resume. With the many outdoor events in our active tourist town, safety is paramount. Utilizing this tool can allow event leaders to give the "heads up" when lightning is within 15 miles, begin safety clearing procedures within 10 miles and be out of the danger zone within 6 miles of a storm. Outdoor events should have a safety plan in place prior to unfortunate circumstances. A "safe location" is an enclosed, grounded building with plumbing and electricity or an enclosed vehicle. Take safety warnings seriously until the "All Clear" signal has been given. "Half An Hour Since under Roars, Now It's Safe to Go Outdoors!" You do not have to be alerted to utilize the safety measures that Weather Bug has to offer. On the free app, click on the "bug" in the upper left corner, go to "spark lightning" at the bottom of the list. This shows the 10, 20 and 30 mile radius of closest strikes. If you are a local coach, event leader, or interested citizen and would like to be included on the system, please contact jfelten@fmuthschools.com with your name, cell phone number and cell carrier. We thank Frankenmuth Athletics and Frankenmuth Athletics Association for funding this safety feature annually. FHS Varsity Soccer team plans their strategy. Photo courtesy of Eagle Eye Photography No Place Outdoors Is Safe When Thunderstorms Are In The Area FHS Football takes the field. Photo courtesy of S. Reider 18

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