Friday, Nov. 18, 2005
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Continues Aggressive Push to Prepare State for Potential Disasters
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today outlined actions Missouri is taking and has taken to prepare for a natural disaster, particularly a massive earthquake along the New Madrid fault line in Southeast Missouri.
Blunt previously directed the Department of Public Safety and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to review existing emergency response plans and to make suggestions for improvement.
The review, led by Public Safety Director Mark James, found existing plans to be inadequate when faced with the statewide devastation an earthquake the size of 7.6 or higher could cause. Blunt has directed state agencies to work with local governments in the New Madrid region to develop a coordinated plan to deal with a possible natural disaster of that magnitude to help avoid problems witnessed in the Gulf Coast.
Blunt has directed all of the state agencies involved in responding to such incidents to file detailed reports to assist in future planning efforts.
Blunt has also ordered all state agencies to examine their earthquake plans and to revise any out-dated material to ensure efficient and practical concepts are implemented after lessons learned from hurricanes Rita and Katrina. Specifically, Blunt wants state agencies to focus on local evacuation plans, the construction of emergency shelters, access to medical treatment, housing for evacuees, security for dangerous areas to combat looters and effective communication and coordination between local, state, federal and private relief agencies.
Blunt has asked Director James to closely coordinate his efforts with Adjutant Gen. King Sidwell to ensure that the resources of the National Guard are considered as plans are developed. Gen. Sidwell acted as Hurricane Relief Coordinator during Hurricanes Rita and Katrina and is an integral part of Gov. Blunt’s emergency response team.
On Monday, Blunt signed executive order 05-42 establishing the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as Missouri’s new standard for emergency preparedness. NIMS will provide an across the board approach for federal, state and local governments to more effectively and efficiently work together to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters and domestic incidents.
NIMS utilizes standardized procedures for managing personnel, communications, facilities and resources and will improve Missouri’s ability to use federal funding to enhance state and local preparedness.
"The devastating Gulf Coast hurricanes taught us that the unimaginable can happen at anytime," Blunt said. "I am committed to making preparation for and response to natural disasters one of the top priorities of state government. Missourians deserve the reassurance of knowing that their state leaders are going to great lengths to prepare and respond as quickly and efficiently as possible. We have taken great strides to overcome the lack of preparation from the past and I look forward to working with local officials and first responders to put a strong coordinated plan in place."
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