Public Preparedness Fair Highlights
National Preparedness Month in Missouri
JEFFERSON CITY, September 21, 2005—Over 30 exhibitors
participated in a Public Preparedness Fair today in Jefferson City.
Gov. Matt Blunt, Rep. Jack Jackson, chairman of the Joint Committee
on Terrorism, Bioterrorism and Homeland Security, and Director Mark
James of the Department of Public Safety addressed citizens, schoolchildren
and legislators at the event.
Blunt also signed a proclamation designating September
as National Preparedness Month in Missouri. The Public Preparedness
Fair was planned as part of September’s activities honoring
the memory of the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001 and in conjunction
with National Preparedness Month activities. However, today’s
activities hold special significance noting the devastation caused
by Hurricane Katrina.
“The Hurricane Katrina disaster illustrates how
important it is for families to develop a plan, have an emergency
supply kit, and be prepared to listen for information about what to
do and where to go during an emergency,” Blunt said. “Local,
state and federal agencies have plans to protect the public, but individuals
also need to take steps to prepare for emergencies. Working together,
we can all be prepared and save lives.”
At the fair, citizens had the chance to view vehicles,
equipment and displays from over 30 emergency service and response
agencies. Some had the chance to walk through a simulated smoke-filled
room, making their way to an exit in the case of fire with the Boone
County Fire Department’s Fire Safety House. Others examined
the inside of a Tornado Safe Room provided by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency. Citizens were also provided lunch by the Southern
Baptists through their mobile kitchen, capable of feeding up to 2,000
people in a disaster.
Disaster response organizations that participated in
the event include: Cole County WMD team, the Southern Baptists, the
Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, numerous Community Emergency
Response Teams (CERT), REACT, MIDRO, The United Methodists, the FEMA
Tornado Safe Room, AmeriCorps, Neighborhood Watch, Medical Reserve
Corps, Volunteers in Police Service, and the National Weather Service.
State agencies that participated include: the Department
of Public Safety, the Department of Health and Senior Services, the
Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Conservation, the
Department of Transportation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, The
Missouri State Water Patrol, the Division of Fire Safety, the Missouri
National Guard, Capitol Police, and the State Emergency Management
Agency.
“Today’s event emphasizes the importance
of being prepared for emergencies in homes, businesses and schools,”
said Mark James, director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety.
“We also want to encourage citizens to take an active community
role in emergency preparedness and consider volunteering their time
and services to volunteer and faith-based disaster response organizations.”
For more information online, visit http://dps.mo.gov/home/NPMSite.htm,
Ready.Missouri.gov, www.sema.dps.mo.gov, or www.dhss.mo.gov. For other
information, please contact Terri Durdaller at (573) 751-4819.