2015 oem annual report

Office of Emergency Management SPRINGFIELD-GREENE COUNTY

2015 Annual report

MISSION STATEMENTThe Springfield-Greene County Emergency Management Program along with community stakeholders strives to be a national model of best practices in mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery against high-impact events to reduce loss of life, damage to property and harm to the environment. The Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management promotes enhanced regionalization of emergency management across southwest Missouri.

OUR TEAMChet HunterDirector

Larry WoodsDeputy Director

Erin HedlunPublic Information Officer

Jonathan Ayres Communications/Network Systems Administrator

John Elmore Planning Specialist

Samantha Peterson Municipal Planning Specialist

Erin Pope Training & Exercises Specialist, CERT Branch Director

Brad Dixon Logistics Specialist

Carole Kidwell Administrative Services Manager

Suzy Allen Administrative Coordinator

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program provides basic emergency skills training to citizens of the community so that they are prepared when disaster strikes. With CERT training, community members assist in response and

recovery efforts in the wake of a major disaster or emergency event. Join CERT and take a proactive step to become prepared and protect your family, your home and your community from disaster! Call 417-869-6040 or email [email protected] for more information.

CERT

CARTThe Springfield-Greene County CERT Animal Response Team (CART) is a group of trained CERT volunteers who coordinate animal response efforts during times of disaster. CART partners with the Emergency Veterinary Clinic of Southwest Missouri to facilitate training of volunteers and activation of animal response.

Hometown Ready

Disaster Preparedness. Community Engagement.

When disaster strikes, will you be prepared?

The Hometown Ready program, facilitated by the Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management, offers comprehensive disaster preparedness programming and resources to ensure that citizens and businesses can respond with a resounding “yes” to the question posed above.

Elements of the Hometown Ready program include Ozarks Ready, focused on individual and family preparedness, CERT training, Business Certification, and our partnerships with MO State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Message from the Commission

The issue of disasters occurring is not if they will occur but rather, when, where and what they will be. Because of their ubiquitous nature, planning for disaster response and the mitigation of their effects must be a continuous process. The Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management is recognized as a leader in disaster preparedness.

Over the past decade, this office has been faced with numerous disasters involving floods, tornadoes, ice and snow storms, wild fires, and chemical spills to name a few. The team at OEM plays a very critical role in assuring the County’s responsibility for protecting our citizens and visitors on a round the clock basis. This assurance is provided through a nationally accredited staff operating from a state of the art emergency management center.

This annual report provides you, the reader, an inside view of both the comprehensive and complex nature regarding operations and programs conducted by our Office of Emergency Management. We hope you will be pleased and assured that “Greene County Works” to protect you and your family from the effects of disasters.Bob Cirtin, Greene County Presiding CommissionerHarold Bengsch, Greene County Commissioner 1st DistrictRoseann Bentley, Greene County Commissioner 2nd District

This past year has brought about a whirlwind of change, advancements and achievements for the Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management. The emergency planning partnership with Springfield Public Schools, continued expansion of our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and CERT Animal Response Team (CART), development

of several updated emergency related plans, the implementation of standardized outdoor warning siren guidelines, a rebranding effort and the transition of several key staff members are just a few highlights that mark this year as an active and successful one.

We continue to advance our preparedness messaging to the community, and have welcomed multiple opportunities to share this important information with the public throughout this past year, including the 2015 Safe and Sound Expo, National Safety Weekend, public school presentations, college career days and local neighborhood association “Night-Outs”.

As you view the highlights of our office throughout this report, you will quickly recognize the impact that the Office of Emergency Management has on this community. We continually strive to fulfill our vision – “to become the most disaster resilient community in America.” The activities in this report will outline the forward steps we are taking to do just that.

Chet Hunter, Director

Director’s Message

2015 Year in Review • 3

Staff TransitionsMark Burchfield, Training and Exercise Specialist since 2013, transitioned to a job with the U.S. National Weather Service, Springfield, MO in February.

Erin Pope transitioned from Municipal Planning Specialist to Training and Exercise Specialist & CERT Branch Director. Erin has served with OEM since 2012, beginning as the Administrative Coordinator before accepting the Municipal Planning Specialist position in 2013.

Samantha Peterson transitioned from Mitigation Planning Contractor to Municipal Planning Specialist. Prior to her work as the Mitigation Planning Contractor, Samantha served as an OEM intern beginning in 2013.

Shea Lane, Logistics Specialist since 2007, accepted a position as the Director of Disaster Preparedness and Response for Catholic Charities of Southern MO in July.

Brad Dixon transitioned to the position of Logistics Specialist. Brad initially joined OEM in April of this year as an intern, coordinating the Public Safety Center’s recycling program.

John Wall, a long time CERT team member and OEM reservist, became the volunteer OEM CERT Unit Leader, working with Erin Pope, Training and Exercise Specialist and CERT Branch Director.

2015 was a year of transition for the staff at OEM

emergency management by the numbers

hours of intern & volunteer/reservist work

22interns &

volunteers7

reservists

hours of training held at the Public Safety Centertraining

courses hosted56

CERT graduates 2,71212

visitors to the Public Safety Center meetings &

tours at the PSC

60Public

Engagements11,000 725


Community education is an essential component to emergency management and was a leading initiative of the public information office this year. Through speaking engagements with local organizations, businesses and schools that highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness, participation in community events such as the Safe and Sound Expo, National Safety Weekend, Severe Weather Awareness Weekend, Public Safety Center tours and college career fairs, educating the public about disaster preparedness and how OEM assists the community in planning and response efforts was the leading goal. In all, OEM was involved in 60 public engagement opportunities in 2015.

Community Engagement

June 19 was a record-breaking day in Greene County. After torrential rainfall fell over the county as a result of Tropical Storm Bill, the James River crested at a level of 22.2 feet, beating the existing record of 22.0 feet set in 1909. To say it was a wet summer would be an understatement. Multiple rounds of significant rainfall impacted the area, resulting in the flooding of homes and businesses and leading to several water rescues.

OEM’s Skylab Mobile Communication Vehicle proved to be a valuable asset, as it was on scene on South Campbell Ave. to provide live video monitoring of the rising James River on June 19. This live video feed allowed OEM, the National Weather Service, MoDOT and other partner agencies a real-time look at the river level. Skylab was also on scene at the 60/65 interchange to monitor potential on and off ramp flooding concerns.

Flooding Event Takes Center Stage

“The most important thing citizens can do during a heavy rainfall event that produces flooding is to turn around and do not attempt to drive through a covered roadway,” said Chet Hunter, OEM Director. “It only takes 6 inches of water to move your vehicle, and should your vehicle get stuck, it not only presents a dangerous situation for you, but also for the emergency responders that have to rescue you.”

Springfield Cub Scouts Pack 111 tours the PSC.

6 • Office of Emergency Management

A New LookA rebranding effort served to modernize the OEM logo, and in addition, new logos were created for the CERT Animal Response Team (CART) program, the Missouri State Emergency Management Student Association (EMSA) and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). The OEM website also underwent a complete redesign with the goal to make the site more user friendly and resource focused.

In the KnowIn an effort to keep the community and our partners updated on all that is happening in OEM throughout the year, a quarterly newsletter was designed and implemented this year. This newsletter provides highlights of events, information about grants that OEM is awarded, severe weather response efforts and staff achievements.

A focus on social media engagement prompted the creation of several new outreach platforms for OEM, including Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest. OEM’s Facebook and Twitter audiences increased by more than 100% this year.

Social Media Growth

The cities of Ash Grove, Battlefield, Strafford and Willard continued their partnership with OEM via emergency operations planning contracts. These contracts enable OEM to assist with emergency operations planning efforts, offer training opportunities and encourage participation in the All Hazards Mitigation Plan as well as COOP planning efforts. An emergency operations planning contract with the city of Fair Grove was added in July of this year.

Municipalities Participate in Emergency Planning Efforts

OEM Fall 2015 Newsletter

“Drop, Cover, Hold”. On October 15 at 10:15am, over 41 million people across the world participated in the annual Great Shake Out earthquake drill. OEM staff partnered with Springfield Public Schools and participated in the drill with a fifth grade class at Weller Elementary. Students learned about the importance of

disaster preparedness and were able to ask questions about emergency management, in addition to practicing the “Drop, Cover, Hold’ technique. To learn more about the Great Shake Out, visit www.shakeout.org.

Highlighted Event – Great Shake Out Earthquake Drill

First Annual MSU Emergency Management Conference

The MSU Emergency Management Student Association, in its first year of existence, hosted its first Emergency Management Conference on

October 28 in the Plaster Student Union. Participants attended several break-out sessions facilitated by subject matter experts from the National Weather Service, American Red Cross, Greene County CERT, MSU and OEM. Topics covered included storm tracking, volunteerism with the Red Cross, weapons of mass destruction, 9-11 experience, Joplin Tornado takeaways, CERT training, and more. Plans are already underway for next year’s event.

OEM Staff Participate in United Way’s Day of Caring

A dedicated city-wide ‘acts of service day’ facilitated by United Way was

held on Thursday, August 20, as teams from local businesses and organizations blanketed the city to assist non-profit organizations with various service projects. A team of staff members and interns from OEM participated in the event, volunteering time at an Arc of the Ozarks group home located in northeast Springfield. Tasks included tree trimming, weed pulling, organization of a garage of supplies and window washing. The weather was beautiful, and residents and staff of the Arc of the Ozarks home were grateful for the assistance. This was the second year of OEM’s involvement in Day of Caring.

Workforce Development PartnershipOEM had the opportunity to partner with the Ozark Region Missouri Career Center and its Workforce Youth Program to acquire a paid OEM intern who assisted staff throughout the months of September and October. The Workforce Youth Program is an employment and education program through the Workforce Development Act serving students ages 14-21. The program provides students with workplace experience and

resume building. Our Workforce Youth Program intern, Nathanul Penny, was an incredible asset and a valued member of our team! Nathanul plans to continue his involvement with OEM in a volunteer capacity.


Several OEM Plans Updated and Approved

The Emergency Operations Plan, coordinated by OEM and partnering agencies, was recently reviewed by a representative from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and received a 100% compliance score. This review is conducted annually as a grant-funded requirement and as an independent assessment to ensure that OEM’s plans remain in the highest state of readiness.

Hazards Mitigation PlanThe Springfield-Greene County All Hazards Mitigation Plan underwent its scheduled five year rewrite, and received both State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approval this summer. The plan was then officially adopted by the Greene County Commission and Springfield City Council. The All-Hazards Mitigation Plan is aimed at making Greene County disaster resistant by reducing or eliminating long-term risk of loss of life and property from a full-range of natural disasters, as well as identifying human-caused and technological hazards that could affect the county.

A 2015 Hazardous Flow Study was conducted and completed on October 1. This study, updated every five years, allows OEM representatives to study the flow of the transportation of hazardous materials through Greene County and its potential impact to the community.

Hazardous Flow Study

Emergency Operations Plan


Greetings from DirectorWhere do I find shelter? Who is my emergency contact? Where is my family’s reunification point? Who are reliable sources of information? These are questions that should be addressed in your family’s emergency plan. Answers to these questions may vary, but the outcome is the same – preparedness.

We are often overwhelmed when we hear the word ‘plan’. Creating a plan that works for your family doesn’t have to be a lengthy or exhaustive process. Making a plan simply means that you consider answers to the questions posed above, and discuss actions you and your family will take to mitigate the effects of a disaster. Jot these ideas down and keep them in an easily accessible and visible place in your home. Regularly discuss your plan with your family, and update it as needed.

Consider the time you took to read this narrative. Those few brief moments are all you need to begin building an emergency plan that works for your family and that will guide you when disaster strikes. If you plan for the unexpected today, you and your family will be more resilient when faced with disaster tomorrow.

OEM Facilitates Communications Efforts for 9th Annual Bass Pro Shops Marathon

On Sunday, November 1, over 4,000 runners gathered to participate in the 9th annual Bass Pro Shops Marathon, which included the News-Leader 5K, Mercy Sunshine Marathon Relay, Cohick Half Marathon and Conservation Marathon.

OEM’s Skylab Mobile Communication Vehicle and Field Command Post were on site to coordinate communication efforts between participating agencies, assist with volunteer coordination and provide requested public safety resources. This marks the fourth year that OEM’s services have been requested to assist with the marathon.

Learn more about how you can be involved in preparedness efforts:

(417) 869-6040 or www.greenecountyoem.org

Main Office:Public Safety Center

330 W. Scott St. Springfield, MO 65802

Email:[email protected]

Connect with us:

September – National Preparedness MonthSeptember was recognized as National Preparedness Month, and OEM took the opportunity to educate the community about preparedness steps via a social media campaign that highlighted daily preparedness measures. Centered on the theme “Don’t Wait – Communicate”, National Preparedness Month is a

grassroots campaign for action, known as America’s PrepareAthon, to increase community preparedness and resilience, facilitated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For more information about America’s PrepareAthon, visit www.community.fema.gov.


This year marked a significant leap in the amount of visitors welcomed at the Public Safety center (PSC) for both training courses and educational tours through the building. We welcomed elementary age children, high school students, college classes, business groups and community organizations as they desired to learn more about the role of emergency management and how operations are facilitated at the PSC.

OEM entered into a two year contract for emergency management planning services with Springfield Public Schools (SPS), effective on August 1. Under this contract, OEM will provide SPS with direct support for the further development and maintenance of the district’s emergency management plans.

Through this collaborative partnership, OEM will further develop and enhance the district’s Emergency

Operations Plan (EOP), addressing any planning gaps according to emergency management best practices. OEM will further develop and enhance SPS’ site specific emergency operations plans into the EOP. OEM will also focus on training opportunities for SPS staff, including the coordination of an EOP training class for SPS police, as well as the pursuit of State Emergency Management (SEMA) training at the local level. OEM will assist in the implementation process of the EOP within the SPS district, and will also coordinate and facilitate mitigation planning activities to support SPS’ local role in the Greene County All Hazards Mitigation Plan.

“OEM is excited that the leadership of Springfield Public Schools has chosen to invest in their students and staff. This contract not only lays out further steps of preparedness and emergency management best practices for SPS, but will guide staff and create a culture of preparedness activities within SPS. We hope this contract will serve as an example to other communities in the continuing development of an emergency management program within their respective local schools,” said Chet Hunter, OEM Director.

Innovative Collaboration Leads to Partnership with Springfield Public Schools

Community Education Key Connections

Several key connections were established this year to support OEM’s community education initiative, including those with Springfield Public Schools’ Emergency Preparedness committee, Red Cross and its Pillowcase Project, Springfield’s Hotel Lodging Association and the Child Safe Facility program delivered via the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

visitors welcomed to the public safety center

Missouri State Highway Patrol conducts a training course at the PSC.

Field Elementary School students learn more about the Emergency Operations Center.

Greene County Commissioner Harold Bengsch greets a group of PSC visitors from Washington University Hospital.


Updated Plans Lead Preparedness Efforts

The Springfield-Greene County All Hazards Mitigation Plan underwent its scheduled five year rewrite, and received both State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approval this summer. The plan was then officially adopted by the Greene County Commission and Springfield City Council. The All-Hazards Mitigation Plan is aimed at making Greene County disaster resistant by reducing or eliminating long-term risk of loss of life and property from a full-range of natural disasters, as well as identifying human-caused and technological hazards that could affect the county.

Hazards Mitigation Plan

A 2015 Hazardous Flow Study was conducted and completed on Oct 1. This study, updated every five years, allows OEM representatives to study the flow of the transportation of hazardous materials through Greene County and its potential impact to the community.

Hazardous Flow Study

The Emergency Operations Plan, coordinated by OEM and partnering agencies, was recently reviewed by a representative from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and received a 100% compliance score. This review is conducted annually as a grant funded requirement and as an independent assessment to ensure that OEM’s plans remain in the highest state of readiness.

Emergency Operations Plan

Springfield-Greene County OEM is one of only two agencies in the

state of Missouri to hold Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) accreditation, with the other agency being the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). Acquiring this prestigious accreditation is a rigorous process of fulfilling 64 standards of emergency management best practices. Initially received in 2012, OEM is now pursuing EMAP reaccreditation. This year began the preliminary preparation phase with staff training sessions and standard reviews. The reaccreditation process will continue through 2016.

Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP)

A COOP plan provides a framework in which local government, along with its officials, departments and agencies can plan and perform their respective functions during a natural disaster or national emergency. The COOP plan ensures that essential

operations can continue to be performed during an emergency situation that may disrupt normal operations. Each Greene County department completed an updated worksheet that identified the critical needs of their respective department in the event of disaster.

Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP)


The rescue and shelter of animals following a disaster is an important aspect to overall disaster planning. OEM received a $5,000 grant from the ASPCA this year to purchase necessary animal rescue supplies and equipment, such as portable kennels, crates, dishes and leashes. Animal response during a disaster is facilitated through the Greene County CERT Animal Response Team (CART).

Animal Response: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Grant

“Keep America Beautiful” Cigarette Litter Grant

Greene County was awarded a

competitive grant from the “Keep America Beautiful” organization to decrease the amount of cigarette litter across its campus. Portable ash collectors are available to all visitors of the PSC at no charge and stainless steel cigarette ash receptacles were permanently installed at strategic entry and exit points across the Greene County campus. This grant helps prevent cigarette litter from entering into the landfill and waterways. Similar to traditional recyclable materials, the recovered cigarette litter is shipped to a recycling center, at no cost to the county, for reintegration into the US market as reusable containers and pallets.

Regional Homeland Security Oversight Committee (RHSOC) Technology Grants

OEM received over $300,000 in RHSOC grant funding to purchase much needed equipment

to sustain and update technology on board OEM’s “Skylab” Mobile Communications vehicle and the Greene County Sheriff’s Mobile Command Post. Additionally, funds

were used to enhance operations and provide training to users across the region (18 counties

in Region D) on the computer-based program WebEOC, an online tool for information sharing and resource request tracking during emergencies, disasters, significant events and daily operations. The technological upgrades made possible through this grant allow assets to operate at the highest level of functionality and increase situational awareness capabilities.


OEM staff participated in a wide array of trainings and exercises throughout the year, both personally and collectively, designed to increase knowledge of and skill in emergency management best practices. Included was the Region D State Disaster Exercise Series, the Greene County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Workshop, the Springfield-Branson National Airport Full-Scale Exercise, the MoDOT Statewide Winter Weather Drill, the MO State Mass Fatality Exercise, the MO State Communications Exercise, the Statewide Severe Weather Awareness Tornado Drill, the International Earthquake Drill and the Emergency Managers US Ebola Response Workshop.

In addition, monthly in-house staff trainings and quarterly site tours to observe emergency operations at various businesses allowed OEM staff members to gain greater insight into how partner agencies facilitate emergency response efforts and how critical equipment is used to facilitate such.

CERT and CART Teams Continue to Serve the CommunityCommunity Emergency Response Team (CERT) courses were offered during the spring and fall of this year to members of the community interested in gaining valuable disaster preparedness skills and assisting the community during times of disaster. Two public courses and two Missouri State University courses led to 56 new CERT graduates. CERT members were active in the community this year, assisting in two search and rescue efforts, operating the First Aid booth at the Ozark Empire Fair, assisting in storm and flooding clean-up efforts, and coordinating a public education initiative at the Severe Weather Awareness Expo, the Safe and Sound Expo and Sears National Safety Weekend.

CERT Animal Response Team (CART) received a boost in its efforts this year via an ASPCA grant that allowed the team to purchase much needed animal rescue and response supplies. Membership grew to 26 active participants, and the team is currently in the process of writing its own disaster response plan.

The Missouri State Emergency Management Student Association (EMSA) was created and approved this spring as an official campus student organization. This association is sponsored by MSU’s Political Science department and OEM, and was created as a way for students interested in emergency management to learn more about the discipline, meet professionals in the field and establish internships. Members also work to educate other students about emergency

management and the importance of preparedness.

TraIning and exercisesstrengthened response efforts

MSU Emergency Management Student Association Created

Springfield-Branson National Airport Full Scale Exercise

“Storm Ready Community” Re-CertificationOEM reapplied for and received the National Weather Service’s “StormReady Community” certification. StormReady, a program started in 1999 in Tulsa, OK by the National Weather Service, helps arm America’s communities with the communication and safety skills

needed to save lives and property--before and during severe weather events. StormReady helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety programs.

StormReady communities are better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of severe weather through advanced planning, education and awareness. No community is storm proof, but StormReady can help communities save lives.

OEM was awarded a $39,639 recycling grant by Missouri Solid Waste District O in July, for the purpose of expanding the current recycling program in place at the Public Safety Center. Each year, Missouri Solid Waste District O awards grants for Solid Waste Reduction in the district’s five-county service region (Christian, Dallas, Greene, Polk and Webster counties). Solid Waste Reduction includes recycling, public education, and other programs that reduce solid waste generation.

This grant allowed for the expansion of the recycling program to include the Greene County Medical Examiners Office and the Greene County

Administration Building. It also enabled the recycling of electronic waste (monitors, keyboards, etc.) in addition to glass, aluminum, paper and plastic. The expanded grant also allowed for increased hours of operations, the purchase of a utility transportation vehicle to collect, store, transport and deliver materials to designated recycling centers and the continuation of educational outreach efforts to Greene County facility visitors and personnel.

In total over 9,000 pounds of material, including aluminum, paper, plastic, glass and electronics, has been recycled through the program.

Workforce Development PartnershipOEM had the opportunity to partner with the Ozark Region Missouri Career Center and its Workforce Youth Program to acquire a paid OEM intern who assisted staff throughout the months of August, September and October. The Workforce Youth Program is an employment and education program through the Workforce Development Act serving students ages 14-21. The program provides students with workplace experience and resume building. Our Workforce Youth Program intern, Nathanul Penny, was an incredible asset and a valued member of our team! Nathanul plans to continue his involvement with OEM in a volunteer capacity. He was also recently hired by the county as a full-time employee in the Building Operations department.

Springfield-Greene County has been certified a StormReady Community since 2004.

recycling program expansion

Nathanul Penny


Integrated Warning Team (IWT) Implements Standardized Outdoor Warning Siren Guidelines

Did you know almost every county and city in the state of Missouri has different standards for setting off outdoor sirens?

Following the recent tornadoes in Joplin and Branson, it became clear that consistent guidelines were needed related to outdoor warning siren activation. Representatives from the National Weather Service, local media, and OEM as well as other local emergency management agencies, assembled to form the Ozarks Integrated Warning Team. This team collaborated together to introduce standardized outdoor warning siren activation guidelines.

These guidelines indicate that the outdoor warning sirens will be activated if a tornado warning is issued by the National Weather Service, or a trained spotter indicates rotation, a funnel cloud or a tornado, if a severe thunderstorm warning with life-threatening winds is issued by the National Weather Service, or if a trained spotter reports those same winds, and for the monthly siren test, which occurs on the second Wednesday of the month at 10:00 am. Sirens may also be activated for maintenance and repairs.

To date, over 30 cities and municipalities across Southwest Missouri have agreed to follow these standardized guidelines.

Citizen safety is a top concern when severe weather impacts Greene County. Many local businesses and organizations have established protocols for protecting patrons when weather changes quickly and shelter is needed. In an effort to recognize those establishments that go “above

and beyond” to coordinate protective measures for patrons during severe weather events, OEM created a Hometown Ready Commendation award. This award is given when OEM receives a citizen account of extraordinary preparedness and response measures taken by a local business.

A Hometown Ready Commendation was presented to the staff of Neighborhood Pizza Café and Target employees for the extra steps they took to protect citizens during a severe weather event on May 29.

hometown ready

New Mercy Hospital Joplin MovePerhaps no one building more clearly defines May 22, 2011, the day that destruction descended upon the city of Joplin via an EF-5 tornado, than Mercy Hospital, then known as St. John’s Regional Medical Center.

The hospital suffered a direct hit from the deadly tornado, and its building infrastructure was severely damaged, with blown out windows, missing walls and massive piles of debris marking the tornado’s path. Fast forward almost four years, and the new Mercy Hospital Joplin has been constructed, one more milestone on the city’s journey to recovery and healing.

OEM’s Skylab Mobile Communication Vehicle was on site at the new hospital campus on March 22, coordinating communication efforts between the many public safety agencies responsible for moving patients from the temporary hospital location to the new complex. In all, almost 100 patients were efficiently and safely relocated.

Safe and Sound ExpoFamilies and individuals armed with the knowledge and resources to prepare themselves for disaster. That was the goal of the 2015 Safe & Sound Expo, sponsored by KY3 and held on Saturday, April 18 at the Ozarks Empire Fairgrounds EPlex. Over 12,000 people flooded the Expo to visit with vendors, local public safety agency representatives, community assistance organizations, insurance and storm shelter companies and many others. OEM was represented at this event by a large exhibit area that housed Skylab, our mobile communications vehicle, and booths filled with information and

resources from OEM & CERT, along with several of our partners, including the National Weather Service, Springfield-Greene County 911, Greene County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES). Community awareness is key to preparedness, and this event offered the platform by which OEM could continue its outreach into our community.

NCAA Regional TournamentOEM staff were on-site at Hammons Field on May 29-31 for the 2015 NCAA Regional Tournament, providing weather monitoring services in support of the games. Severe weather impacted the county on Friday, May 29, and OEM assisted Hammons Field support personnel in evacuating the stadium and safely sheltering spectators until the storm passed.

Springfield Cardinals Safety Day2,000 excited elementary school students filled Hammons Field for the Springfield Cardinals Safety Day on June 24. Representatives from OEM, Springfield Fire Department and the Greene County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit offered students insight into what role their respective agency plays in public safety and how each agency assists the community. OEM’s Skylab Mobile Communication Vehicle was on site, and students had the

opportunity to get an up-close look at the technology on board, in addition to learning about the importance of personal preparedness.

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Annual Storm Spotter Training Course The National Weather Service, Springfield, MO and OEM partnered together to offer an annual Storm Spotter Training Course on Feb. 24. Open to the public, the training highlighted severe weather signs, how to spot those signs and how to report observations to the National Weather Service.

Year In Review

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Cox South Pediatric Safety FairOEM’s Skylab was on site at the first annual Pediatric Fair facilitated by Cox South on June 27. This event was held in coordination with the Open House for the newly erected

Cox South Tower. OEM staff had the opportunity to interact with members of the public as they viewed exhibit displays and vehicles from a variety of local public safety

agencies. Special guests Springfield Cardinals Louie and Springfield Batman made an appearance and practiced their best emergency management skills.

Ozark Empire FairOEM’s Skylab Mobile Communication Vehicle was on-site for the Ozark Empire Fair, held on July 30-Aug. 8, providing dispatching support and coordination for public safety officials throughout the event. This was OEM’s 8th year of involvement at the fairgrounds.

National Preparedness MonthSeptember was recognized as National Preparedness Month, and OEM took the opportunity to educate the community about preparedness steps via a social media campaign that highlighted daily preparedness measures.

“We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to prepare for disaster,”

said Chet Hunter, Director of the Office of Emergency Management. “When people take the time to create a plan and build a disaster preparedness kit, they are exponentially increasing their chances of surviving a disaster.”

Centered on the theme “Don’t Wait – Communicate”, National Preparedness Month is a grassroots campaign for action, known as America’s PrepareAthon, to increase community preparedness and resilience, facilitated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For more information about America’s PrepareAthon, visit www.community.fema.gov.

Ozarks Integrated Warning Team (IWT) WorkshopNational Weather Service representatives, local media partners, emergency management personnel, public safety personnel and healthcare representatives assembled together at the Public Safety Center on September 9 to collaboratively discuss best practices related to informing the public about severe weather. Subject matter experts and panelists explored ways to enhance severe weather communication that is coordinated and consistent.

The overarching goal of the Ozarks Integrated Warning Team (IWT) is to disseminate a unified message to maximize public response to weather information and warnings. Ozarks IWT objectives include: 1) Building relationships with one another, 2) Identifying challenges and solutions to improve warning communications, and 3) Integrating social science concepts.

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Great Shake Out Earthquake Drill“Drop, Cover, Hold”. On October 15 at 10:15am, over 41 million people across the world participated in the annual Great Shake Out earthquake drill. OEM staff partnered with Springfield Public Schools and participated in the drill with a fifth grade class at Weller Elementary. Students learned about the importance of disaster preparedness and were able to ask questions about emergency management, in addition to practicing the “Drop, Cover, Hold” technique.

MSU Emergency Management Student Association Hosts First Annual ConferenceThe Missouri State Emergency Management Student Association (EMSA) hosted its first Emergency Management Conference on October 28 in the Plaster Student Union. Participants attended several break-out sessions facilitated by subject matter experts from the National Weather Service, American Red Cross, Greene County CERT, MSU and OEM. Topics covered included storm tracking, volunteerism with the Red Cross, weapons of mass destruction, 9-11 experience, Joplin Tornado takeaways, CERT training, and more.

9th Annual Bass Pro MarathonOn November 1, over 4,000 runners gathered to participate in the 9th annual Bass Pro Shops Marathon, which included the News-Leader 5K, Mercy Sunshine Marathon Relay, Cohick Half Marathon and Conservation Marathon.

OEM’s Skylab Mobile Communication Vehicle and Field Command Post were on site to coordinate communication efforts between participating agencies, assist with volunteer coordination and provide requested public safety resources. This marks the fourth year that OEM’s services have been requested to assist with the marathon.

Bike MS: Ozarks Ride 2015600 dedicated cyclists rode for a cause as they participated in a charity bike ride supporting Multiple Sclerosis awareness and research on September 12-13. OEM’s Field Command Post was deployed to support local amateur radio operators as they facilitated communications support for the event.

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330 West Scott StreetSpringfield, MO 65802

417-869-6040

greenecountyoem.org

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2015 oem annual report

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