The Rolla Daily News Sunday, March 27, 2005 Vol. 131 - No. 88
Phelps County Disaster Committee vital for emergency preparedness
By Jaime Baranyai
Staff Writer
    While there are numerous agencies throughout the county with expertise in responding to emergency situations, it is the Phelps County Disaster Committee (PCDC) that is responsible for improving the communication between the various groups.
    "It's an organization that is set up for the purpose of pulling together the various players that are involved in emergency response," Joe Counsil, president of the group, said. "It encourages cooperative efforts between volunteers and professional agencies in the event of an emergency or a disaster."
    Counsil said another purpose of the organization is to prepare residents for disasters and emergencies. "We want to train people prior to a disaster or an emergency acutally occurring so that if one happens we will be better prepared to deal with it," he said.
    The Phelps County Disaster Committee was first set up as a Missouri Volunteer Organization Active in Disaster and then, in 2003, it became affiliated as a Citizen Corps, thus gaining support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
    Last year, the organization received a grant of $31,755 from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). Counsil said the grant money is being used to make emergency response improvements in six key areas. Those areas include:
  • Medical Reserve Corps: The purpose of the corps is to identify medical professionals and support personnel who have the expertise to respond to a mass casualty event.
  • Weather Shelters: This is an effort to designate public buildings throughout the county that can be used as temporary shelters during stormy weather.
  • Neighborhood Watch: This program has been in existence for years and the PCDC will provide funding to purchase resources for the program and promote it.
  • National Fire Safety Program: PCDC will help purchase education resources and facilitate fire and safety presentations for children and adults alike.
  • Volunteer Incident Support Team: This is an effort to establish additional support outlets for the American Red Cross to call upon in the event of a major disaster.
  • Citizen Corps Support: This is geared at bringing public attention to the resources available in Phelps County for disaster victims.
    •     "The idea is to pull the public safety officials together with volunteers - in all areas," Counsil said.
        PCDC also hosts periodic seminars and provides other educational resources to make people aware of what they should do and who they should turn to in various emergency situations.
        The next PCDC educational event will the a Family Emergency Preparedness Forum from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2005, at The Centre.
        The event is free and the forum is for all Phelps County residents who would llike a better understanding of how their community will be affected and what to do when a disaster really occurs locally. Valuable resources and free lunch will be provided. Speakers include experts from the Phelps County Health Department, Red Cross, Neighborhood Watch Program, C.E.R.T., Rolla Fire Department and the Phelps County Disaster Committee.
        To pre-register for the event, contact Jason Finch, community service coordinator at (573) 341-1213 or jfinch@rollacity.org.