WALLY EATON, GREG LANHAM, JEFF OSWALD, AND WILLIAM “BENJIE” CONROW discuss strategies for responding to a mock disaster Thursday morning in the 911 office at the Keller Building.

Thursday morning, local officials took a test. They responded to a mock disaster of serious flooding and widespread power outages.

At the 911 office in the Keller Building, representatives from numerous local entities participated in the drill. Howard County 911, the city of Fayette, police departments from Fayette, Glasgow and New Franklin, the Howard County Sheriff’s Department, Public Health, Ambulance, County Commission, and Central Methodist University personnel all received information on the state of the emergency and developed response plans.

The mock scenario: A few days ago, an earthquake in Southeast Missouri and flooding in Southwest Missouri have drawn away utility workers and emergency responders from the county. With a “skeleton” crew, the county is required to respond to serious flooding—which has washed out a number of roads—and widespread power outages that are predicted to last for at least a few days. As if that wasn’t bad enough, a heat wave is predicted.

Upon receiving the news, the “hub” of responders set to work. Maps were displayed on the walls. A list of closed roads was made. Ideas for emergency shelters were discussed. Which locations get priority for receiving power? Who will call the utility companies? Who will call the Missouri Department of Transportation to sign closed roads? How will the ambulance get to Columbia with Highway 240 closed? Who will help transport occupants at residential care facilities and schools?

These and many other nuts-and-bolts situations were addressed.

Participants will find out how well they responded after an evaluation report is received a few weeks from now. Beverly Maltsberger, a University of Missouri Extension Agent who specializes in community development, observed the proceedings, took notes and collected data. She and a team from her office in St. Joseph will evaluate and write a report on the group’s performance.

When the report is available, “this same group of people will come together again,” Bryan Kunze said. “We’ll see what we did right and what we need to do to improve our response.” Kunze, along with Bill John, is co-director for emergency management for both the city and the county.

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