CONTACTS:
Justin Sorg, Emergency Services Planner, 816/701-8293, jsorg@marc.org
Jody Ladd Craig, Public Affairs Director, 816/701-8241, jcraig@marc.org

Citizens invited to review how local governments prepare for natural disasters

Five public meetings will be held for Missouri residents in four counties

Missouri residents in four counties — Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte — will have a chance to review actions their governments are taking to reduce the impact of natural hazards on people and property. The meetings are a chance for citizens to give feedback on steps they think their communities should — or should not — be taking to prepare for disasters such as tornadoes, floods and severe winter weather.

Five meetings will be held: one for each county plus a separate meeting for Kansas City, Mo. A meeting for Ray County will be held later. The dates and locations are:

• Cass County, Nov. 4, 6–7:30 p.m., Sheriff's Office Meeting Room at the Justice Center, 2501 W. Wall St., Harrisonville, Mo.
• Platte County, Nov. 9, 6–7:30 p.m., Platte County Resource Center, 11724 N.W. Plaza Circle, Kansas City, Mo.
• Eastern Jackson County, Nov. 10, 6:30–8 p.m., Paul Consiglio Education Center, Room 103, 1501 N.W. Jefferson St., Blue Springs, Mo.
• Clay County, Nov. 16, 6–7:30 p.m., Gladstone Community Center, 6901 N. Holmes, Gladstone, Mo.
• Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 17, 6:30–8 p.m., WWI Museum, Liberty Memorial (large conference room), 100 W. 26^th Street, Kansas City, Mo.‎

The meetings are part of a process to update the Regional Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires jurisdictions to have hazard mitigation plans as a prerequisite to receiving certain pre- and post-disaster planning and recovery grants. The Mid-America Regional Council’s Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee is overseeing the plan update, which is required every five years.

Citizens can register to attend a meeting, share their story of being involved in a natural disaster, and learn more at www.onekcvoice.org. Citizens can also register by calling 816/474-4240. Registration is not required, but it is appreciated.

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