MRPC News Release
Feb. 24, 2006
For immediate release
For more information, contact:
Bonnie J. Prigge or Tammy Snodgrass, (573) 265-2993
EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE HELPING HOST
AGRO-TERRORISM TRAINING FOR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS, AG RESPONDERS
Training scheduled March 8th in St. James
ST. JAMES—To help ensure that local officials and those that respond to agriculture emergencies in Phelps County are better prepared, the Missouri Department of Agriculture is working with the Phelps County Office of Emergency Management and the Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee to host an Agro-Terrorism Awareness and Planning meeting from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. on March 8 at Meramec Regional Planning Commission, 4 Industrial Dr. in St. James.
The meeting will include both presentations and simulations. Primary topics to be covered during the meeting include threats to agricultural production, specifically livestock and poultry; foreign animal diseases and simulated outbreaks, state emergency response plans, state and local roles and responsibilities and biosecurity. The meeting will also include tabletop exercises, using possible scenarios, to enhance planning and a review of key elements needed in local emergency response plans.
The class is POST certified for five hours of continuing education for law enforcement attendees, and veterinarians also may earn five hours of credits as it is approved by the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association. Class size is limited to 30, and preregistration is required by March 1. Lunch will be provided by the MREPC. To register by phone for the training, persons should contact Tammy Snodgrass at 573-265-2993 or by email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org.
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.
While the March 8 meeting is designed for Phelps County, other counties in the Meramec Region are hosting similar meetings. The Missouri Department of Agriculture currently has meetings scheduled March 7 in Maries County at Marge’s Cafe in Vienna; and March 9 in Crawford County at the Steelville Telco Exchange Conference Room in Steelville. For additional information on these meetings, please contact Gary Applegate at the University Extension Office in Maries County at 573-422-3359 or mariesco@missouri.edu; and Charles Witt in Crawford County at 573-775-4911.
For more information regarding the MREPC or the March 8 Agro-Terrorism meeting, please contact Tammy Snodgrass at 573-265-2993 or by email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org.