Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

ST. JAMES—Nearly 70 representatives participated in a severe weather tabletop exercise on June 18, 2025, at the Pulaski County Health Department. The participants, which included fire, EMS, law enforcement, 911, local governments, local elected officials, school districts, National Weather Service, emergency response agencies and SEMA, played out a simulated tornadic weather event, focusing on Pulaski County, specifically around Fort Leonard Wood. The tabletop exercise is part of an ongoing Military Installation Readiness Review (MIRR) being administered by Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC). 

As the exercise unfolded, participants “reacted” by discussing their response processes, capabilities and discussed possible issues and shortcomings, should an actual event occur. This is the first time that an exercise of this type has taken place with Fort Leonard Wood personnel. 

“Overall, everyone performed very well,” said MRPC Environmental Director Tammy Snodgrass, who coordinated the event. “We were thrilled with the participation and discussion—starting with the planning meetings through the actual exercise.” 

While the exercise highlighted several areas where agencies and partners are well-prepared,some challenges were identified, including inadequate communications and the lack of plans for managing debris, donations and volunteers. Suggestions for addressing these challenges include establishing agreements with cell providers to ensure the availability of mobile cell sites when cell service is disrupted for long periods, utilizing the mobile communications unit housed at City of Rolla Fire & Rescue and using local amateur radio operators. Designating liaisons between the Pulaski County and Fort Leonard Wood Emergency Operations Centers was also identified as a way to further facilitate communication needs and joint efforts during large scale emergencies. Debris, donations and volunteer management plans were also recommended by those involved with the Phelps County tornado this past spring.

“It was very helpful having participants who were involved with the March tornado in Rolla,” said MRPC Executive Director Bonnie Prigge. “They were able to share some insights on what worked well and what did not.”

Tabletop exercises allow for collaboration, partnerships and relationships to be formed prior to a need for them in an emergency. The group can now take steps to improve communications, continue joint planning and look for additional opportunities for training and exercise between Fort Leonard Wood and emergency response agencies in the Fort Leonard Wood Region.

“This exercise proved to be extremely valuable for our communities and Fort Leonard Wood,” said Dorsey Newcomb, executive director of the Leonard Wood Institute and Sustainable Ozarks Partnership. “The amount of collaboration, partnerships and relationships reinforced, shared lessons learned, joint planning conducted and the improvements in emergency response coordination communication procedures and protocols resulting from the exercise will pay great dividends should the need arise in the future.”

A recent look at employment data indicated that nearly 52% of the employment in Pulaski County is tied to the military and Fort Leonard Wood, representing about 12,000 jobs in Pulaski County in 2024.

 “It is vitally important that as a region and a state, we look at how we can protect Fort Leonard Wood’s ability to conduct its mission, protect our servicemembers and their families as well as post infrastructure, the workforce and our local citizens so that Fort Leonard continues to grow and prosper,” Prigge said.  “To do that, we must look at those threats and hazards, both natural and manmade, that could be detrimental to Fort Leonard Wood…whether that is a need for more water capacity, additional electric generation, more childcare slots or more housing opportunities.” Prigge continued. “It is critical that we work together and be pro-active to better position Fort Leonard Wood, Pulaski County and the region to address as many of those impediments that we can in the future.”

The MIRR is a collaborative effort to address these impediments and better ensure a stronger partnership between the military base, Pulaski County and the entire Fort Leonard Wood Region. In February 2024, after working with Fort Leonard Wood staff and local leadership, MRPC applied for funding through the Department of Defense – Office of Local Defense – Community Cooperation (OLDCC) to conduct a MIRR along with a tabletop exercise and a regional housing study. The purpose of the MIRR is to plan for and implement actions to make military installations and the communities around them better prepared for future disasters by reducing vulnerabilities and mitigating hazards, both natural and man-made. The goals for the FLW MIRR include the following:

• Preserve and protect the public health, safety and general welfare of those living near an active military installation,

• Protect and preserve military readiness and defense capabilities while supporting continued community economic development,

• Enhance civilian and military communication and collaboration,

• Increase public awareness of military mission,

• Review the 2013 Fort Leonard Wood Joint Land Use Study, and

• Complete a Fort Leonard Wood Military Readiness Housing Study.

After soliciting proposals, MRPC hired Benchmark Planning, Charlotte, NC, to prepare the MIRR, which is in its final stages. MRPC, working with local response agencies, planned and conducted the tabletop exercise while PGAV of St. Louis was hired to conduct the housing study, which is also in process. 

PGAV is currently surveying community members – both military and civilian – on housing needs in Laclede, Phelps, Pulaski and Texas counties. That survey can be found at surveymonkey.com/r/HousingFLW and is open until Aug. 25. 

MRPC also contracted with Sustainable Ozarks Partnership to assist with project and meeting coordination. 

Local matching funds for this project were provided by Pulaski County, the cities of St. Robert, Waynesville, Rolla and Lebanon, Pulaski County Growth Alliance, Rolla Regional Economic Commission and Laclede Electric. 

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Osage County Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin serves as chairman of the board. A professional staff of 24 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.

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Cutline IMG_5375.jpg – Nearly 70 representatives, including first responders, local governments, emergency management officials, school personnel and Fort Leonard Wood, completed a severe weather tabletop exercise on June 18, 2025, as part of a Military Installation Readiness Review.