Friday, October 21, 2005
Contact: Jessica Robinsonson, 573-751-0290
Missouri Prepares to Assist with Hurricane Wilma Relief Efforts
JEFFERSON CITY–Under Gov. Matt Blunt’s direction, Missouri has begun anticipating both federal and state requests to assist with Hurricane Wilma.
"Missouri is prepared to donate time, resources and personnel to Florida," Blunt said. "Missouri remains committed to assisting with relief efforts."
The Department of Public Safety has prepared an executive order for the governor’s signature. The executive order allows state departments and personnel to assist in Hurricane Wilma relief efforts through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), and grants authority for the National Guard to respond to Hurricane Wilma.
State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) will activate the State Emergency Operations Center to monitor hurricane assistance requests beginning Friday, October 21. SEMA’s homepage will also feature hurricane information http://sema.dps.mo.gov. The National Guard operations center will be available to respond to Hurricane Wilma requests. Initial Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) requests are asking for Missouri National Guard assets at this time.
The Missouri Donations Call Center (800) 841-8891, which is open from Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. will also field donation calls for Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma response.
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