JUNE 2007

Regional News

DHS Preparedness Officer Visit

DHS Preparedness Officer Robert Watkins visited the region on May 23 to get a first-hand look at RHSCC projects funded with UASI and MMRS grants. More>

Earthquake Exercise Tests Region’s Capabilities

A number of local agencies participated in the statewide, multi-element Missouri State Emergency Management Agency’s earthquake exercise held on June 19-21. The exercise tested the region’s ability to aid an influx of evacuees, using a scenario that involved a major earthquake in Southeast Missouri. More>

Priority Prophylaxis Capabilities Exercise

A tabletop exercise is planned for July 26 in Liberty, Mo. The exercise will provide an opportunity for emergency first responders and public health planners to address priority prophylaxis protocols and clarify each discipline's role and responsibilities during a public health emergency.

Training and Exercise Planning

A series of “Concept and Objectives” meetings are underway to help the Training and Exercise subcommittee prioritize regional exercises for the next three years. The meetings focus on the five major exercise themes identified in the committee’s planning workshop — HazMat, Building Collapse, Mass Casualty/Large Venue, Disease Containment and Mass Care.

Personnel Accountability Security System (PASS) Progress Report

WebEOC Conference

Several representatives from the region attended a conference for WebEOC users held in San Antonio last month. Participants learned about upcoming enhancements to GIS mapping capabilities; significant enhancements to the server-to-server interface currently in use in the region; and additional WebEOC modules such as resource management. More>

Community Preparedness Conference

Region VII LEPC/TERC Conference — August 2007

Local Nonprofit Groups Apply for Specialized Grants

In April, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the availability of grant funds under a special Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) for nonprofit agencies located within UASI boundaries. The program provides funding support for security-related training and equipment for nonprofit organizations that may be at high risk of international terrorist attack. One application was submitted from the Kansas City UASI area.

RAMBIS Update

Progress continues on implementation of the Regional Area-Wide Multi-Band Integrated System (RAMBIS), a project that will allow emergency responders to communicate with their agency’s personnel outside their own radio system’s coverage area, with their command centers, and with other emergency personnel from other jurisdictions, regardless of the types of radio equipment used. More>

Continuity of Operations Planning

Final edits are underway on templates for Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) for cities and counties in the region, along with a guidance document that will help jurisdictions use the templates to develop their own plans. Training sessions for using the COOP templates are tentatively scheduled for September. 

Jackson County Appoints New Director of Emergency Preparedness

Jackson County has appointed Mike Curry to serve as director of emergency preparedness. In this position, Curry will report directly to the office of the county executive. Prior to this appointment, Curry served as a deputy county clerk for Jackson County. After getting his feet wet, so to speak, by working on presidential disaster declarations issued in response to floods in early May, Curry plans to focus on building working relationships with emergency management agencies, particularly those in eastern Jackson County.