March 24, 2005
For immediate release
For more information, contact:
Tammy Snodgrass or Bonnie J. Prigge, (573) 265-2993
15 ATTEND DAMAGE ASSESSMENT CLASS
ST. JAMES-Some 15 persons representing local governments and emergency
response agencies completed a damage assessment training on March 2 at the Meramec
Regional Planning Commission. The half-day training was hosted by the Meramec
Regional Emergency Planning Committee (MREPC), in cooperation with the State
Emergency Management Agency. SEMA allowed the training for the class, which
provided local governments and emergency response personnel to gain a working
knowledge of damage assessment concepts and procedures and the ability to apply
the knowledge in the aftermath of a disaster.
Participants completing the course should be prepared to conduct an actual damage
assessment and will be familiar with the necessary forms and procedures, required
by emergency management agencies.
Those completing the course were:
- Lester Murdock, city of Cuba EMD
- James T. Daniel and Bob Baldwin, city of Cuba
- Charles Witt, Crawford County EMD
- Jim Bess, Phelps County Health Department
- John W. Lucas, Caledonia Fire Department
- Bruce Fisher, SEMA
- Daniel Jewell, Newburg Fire Department
- Randolph Finkle, Bates County EMD
- Edythe Finkle, Bates County C.E.R.T.
- Troy Warth, Vichy Volunteer Fire Department
- Wade Jadwin, Crawford County Health Department
- Pamela Carroll, MSRT, SARCOM, NASAR
- Ken Ramsey, Maries County EMD/Vichy Volunteer Fire Department
- Michael E. Guess, Steelville Police Chief
"We are pleased that this many people dedicated a half-day to this training,"
said Tammy Snodgrass of Meramec Regional Planning Commission, who coordinates
trainings on behalf of the MREPC. "It's very important for local jurisdictions
to have people who are trained in damage assessment. The faster those assessments
are complete, following a disaster, the faster state and federal aid will flow
into the community."
The Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee periodically coordinates and
offers training opportunities for emergency responders in the region. The purpose
of the committee is to work with local governments as well as the private sector
to maintain plans responsive to chemical hazards, which seriously threaten the
area. Dawn Warren, Gasconade County Emergency Management Director, chairs the
group. The committee meets quarterly, and meetings are open to the public. Persons
needing more information the MREPC or chemicals in the region may contact Meramec
Regional Planning Commission at (573) 265-2993. The planning commission, a voluntary
council of local governments serving the Meramec Region, provides staff support
for the local emergency planning committee.