Jan. 7, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE TO HEAR PRESENTATION ON ROLLA CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT'S
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TEAM
Committee to elect new chairperson
at Jan. 19 meeting
ST. JAMES-The City of Rolla Fire and Rescue Regional Hazardous
Materials Team will provide a presentation to the Meramec Regional Emergency
Planning Committee on its capabilities and responsibilities in the event of
a technological disaster in the region during the group's quarterly meeting
on Jan. 19. Technological disasters are man-made ones such as those involving
chemicals, weapons of mass destruction and biological hazards. The fire department
has received state and federal grants to equip and train a regional team of
hazardous materials incidence responders.
The meeting will begin with lunch at noon at the Meramec Regional
Planning Commission, 4 Industrial Drive in St. James.
Also on the agenda for the meeting is the election of a chairperson. Dick Hudson
of Gasconade County had served as chairman of the group for some16 years. Hudson,
Gasconade County's emergency management director, retired in October 2004 and
will step down from the leadership position and the committee after the January
meeting. A nominating committee has been formed and will submit a recommendation
for chairman to the group during the meeting.
The Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee works with local
governments as well as the private sector to maintain plans responsive to chemical
hazards, which seriously threaten the area. The committee periodically coordinates
and offers training opportunities for emergency responders in the region. Quarterly
meetings are open to the public. Meramec Regional Planning Commission, a voluntary
council of local governments serving the Meramec Region, provides staff support
for the local emergency planning committee.
The meeting is open to the public and those wishing to attend
are asked to contact Donna Hanger at (573) 265-2993 for lunch arrangements.
For more information regarding the MREPC, please contact Tammy Snodgrass at 573-265-2993 or by email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org.