National Preparedness Efforts

Missouri’s National Preparedness Efforts Showcases Local Volunteers

JEFFERSON CITY, September 4, 2006-In honoring September as National Preparedness Month, Missouri will be featuring regional Citizen Councils, CERT Teams, fire, police, and medical programs to increase both citizen awareness and local volunteerism.

“Volunteers are the backbone for local disaster response and I commend these unselfish men and women who dedicate their precious time to give back to our communities,” said Mark James Director of the Department of Public Safety. “This month we encourage individuals to take action in emergency preparation.”

Many citizens are familiar with the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and other faith-based disaster response organizations. The nine regional events are designed to give Missourians further information about additional local volunteering opportunities

Missouri has 57 Citizen Councils, 20 city-based and 37 county-based. There are138 CERT Programs covering 74 Missouri Counties including the City of St. Louis. Over 5,250 Missourians have taken a CERT class. Missouri has five Medical Reserve Teams.

Volunteer programs featured during Missouri National Preparedness awareness activities include:
· Citizen Councils are local organizations working with local first responders who help manage and distribute donated goods, train spontaneous volunteers, amateur radio operators, volunteer storm watchers, or help operate fixed or mobile emergency operations centers.
· Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) programs teach citizens how to use fire extinguishers, turn off utilities, conduct light search and rescue, and conduct light triage until first responders arrive on scene.
· Medical Reserve Corps membership includes retired doctors, nurses and health professionals who volunteer their services locally during a disaster.
· Volunteering in Police Services (VIPS) and Fire Corps train volunteers to handle administrative tasks for either police or fire departments thus freeing trained professionals to respond to emergencies.
· Every Missouri County has a Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs), which works with private industry and first responders to identify hazardous materials and provide training to first responders.

Events include:
· Troop A (Kansas City and West Central area) the Kansas City PBS television station will conduct a live call-in show on disaster preparedness and volunteering. Throughout September and October, training will be offered for citizens wishing to volunteer for CERT, VIPS, and Fire Corps.
· Troop B (Northeast Missouri) members of the Kirksville Medical Reserve Corps will participate in a mock bus accident in October.
· Troop C (St Louis and East Central area) throughout September and October training will be offered for citizens wishing to volunteer for CERT, VIPS, and Fire Corps.
· Troop D (Southwest Missouri) the State Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Conference in September 21-23, Springfield will offer training and showcase the 114 LEPCs. The Lawrence County Citizen Council will participate in a Pierce City Fair in September.
· Troop E (Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri) The Cape Chapter of the Red Cross, the Cape Girardeau County Public Health, and the CERT Alliance Disaster Preparedness will host an awareness event at the Cape Girardeau mall center court on Saturday, September 16th. Earthquake Exercises: Southeast Missouri First Responders will participate in an earthquake tabletop exercise in Sikeston on Friday, September 22. They will participate in a full-scale earthquake response exercise on Saturday, September 23 in Scott County.
· Troop F (Central Missouri) will feature three events in September. The Cole County Citizens Council will host a long-term recovery tabletop exercise on September 6 in Jefferson City. The Camdenton Citizen Council will host a preparedness and safety fair at the Osage Beach Premium Outlet on September 9. The Cole County Citizen Council will host a Citizen Council Conference at SEMA on September 28.
· Troop G (Southern Missouri) The Douglas County Citizen Council is hosting a preparedness and safety fair showcasing first responders, storm watchers, ham radio operators and CERT teams at Ava’s Wal-Mart on September 16.
· Troop H (Northwest Missouri) Northwest Missouri Homeland Security Response Teams (HRSTs) conducted a regional exercise in late August. The exercise featured the established Buchanan County HRST team, and the recently additions of the St. Joseph Fire and Chillicothe Teams. Additionally new team components are also being formed in Harrison and Atchison Counties. An After Action out briefing will be conducted in September.
· Troop I (South Central Missouri) The Phelps County Disaster Committee will distribute Ready-In-3 information to the public at the St. James Grape & Fall Festival September 7-9.

*News Release*
*Public Safety*	Matt Blunt, Governor	Mark James, Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, please contact: Terri Durdaller Communication Director Work:(573) 751-4819 Cell: (573) 301-2023
Missouri’s National Preparedness Efforts Showcases Local Volunteers JEFFERSON CITY, September 4, 2006-In honoring September as National Preparedness Month, Missouri will be featuring regional Citizen Councils, CERT Teams, fire, police, and medical programs to increase both citizen awareness and local volunteerism. “Volunteers are the backbone for local disaster response and I commend these unselfish men and women who dedicate their precious time to give back to our communities,” said Mark James Director of the Department of Public Safety. “This month we encourage individuals to take action in emergency preparation.” Many citizens are familiar with the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and other faith-based disaster response organizations. The nine regional events are designed to give Missourians further information about additional local volunteering opportunities Missouri has 57 Citizen Councils, 20 city-based and 37 county-based. There are138 CERT Programs covering 74 Missouri Counties including the City of St. Louis. Over 5,250 Missourians have taken a CERT class. Missouri has five Medical Reserve Teams. Volunteer programs featured during Missouri National Preparedness awareness activities include: · Citizen Councils are local organizations working with local first responders who help manage and distribute donated goods, train spontaneous volunteers, amateur radio operators, volunteer storm watchers, or help operate fixed or mobile emergency operations centers. · Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) programs teach citizens how to use fire extinguishers, turn off utilities, conduct light search and rescue, and conduct light triage until first responders arrive on scene. · Medical Reserve Corps membership includes retired doctors, nurses and health professionals who volunteer their services locally during a disaster. · Volunteering in Police Services (VIPS) and Fire Corps train volunteers to handle administrative tasks for either police or fire departments thus freeing trained professionals to respond to emergencies. · Every Missouri County has a Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs), which works with private industry and first responders to identify hazardous materials and provide training to first responders. Events include: · Troop A (Kansas City and West Central area) the Kansas City PBS television station will conduct a live call-in show on disaster preparedness and volunteering. Throughout September and October, training will be offered for citizens wishing to volunteer for CERT, VIPS, and Fire Corps. · Troop B (Northeast Missouri) members of the Kirksville Medical Reserve Corps will participate in a mock bus accident in October. · Troop C (St Louis and East Central area) throughout September and October training will be offered for citizens wishing to volunteer for CERT, VIPS, and Fire Corps. · Troop D (Southwest Missouri) the State Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Conference in September 21-23, Springfield will offer training and showcase the 114 LEPCs. The Lawrence County Citizen Council will participate in a Pierce City Fair in September. · Troop E (Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri) The Cape Chapter of the Red Cross, the Cape Girardeau County Public Health, and the CERT Alliance Disaster Preparedness will host an awareness event at the Cape Girardeau mall center court on Saturday, September 16th. Earthquake Exercises: Southeast Missouri First Responders will participate in an earthquake tabletop exercise in Sikeston on Friday, September 22. They will participate in a full-scale earthquake response exercise on Saturday, September 23 in Scott County. · Troop F (Central Missouri) will feature three events in September. The Cole County Citizens Council will host a long-term recovery tabletop exercise on September 6 in Jefferson City. The Camdenton Citizen Council will host a preparedness and safety fair at the Osage Beach Premium Outlet on September 9. The Cole County Citizen Council will host a Citizen Council Conference at SEMA on September 28. · Troop G (Southern Missouri) The Douglas County Citizen Council is hosting a preparedness and safety fair showcasing first responders, storm watchers, ham radio operators and CERT teams at Ava’s Wal-Mart on September 16. · Troop H (Northwest Missouri) Northwest Missouri Homeland Security Response Teams (HRSTs) conducted a regional exercise in late August. The exercise featured the established Buchanan County HRST team, and the recently additions of the St. Joseph Fire and Chillicothe Teams. Additionally new team components are also being formed in Harrison and Atchison Counties. An After Action out briefing will be conducted in September. · Troop I (South Central Missouri) The Phelps County Disaster Committee will distribute Ready-In-3 information to the public at the St. James Grape & Fall Festival September 7-9.
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