Spring in Missouri has a way of keeping people on their toes.
One sunny afternoon can quickly turn into dark clouds, sirens and a rush to the basement. Around Webster County, Missouri, that kind of weather isn’t unusual. And it’s exactly the sort of thing that keeps Nat Raines, Director for the Webster County Office Of Emergency Management, busy this time of year.
Raines says, “his primary role is to make sure they're always prepared.”
That preparation covers a lot of ground. Raines keeps the county’s emergency operations plan updated. The plan outlines how local agencies respond to disasters, whether it’s a tornado, a wreck involving hazardous materials or something else entirely. The plan also includes the cities across the county, all working from the same playbook when trouble hits.
Take severe weather, for example. When forecasters recently upgraded the area to an enhanced storm risk, Raines started sending messages right away. Emails went out to city leaders and county officials letting them know storms could get serious.
From there, he begins checking in with first responders.
“I’ll start talking to the sheriff, police chiefs and dispatch,” he said. “Just making sure we’re all ready for whatever comes.”
Keeping the public informed is another big piece of the puzzle.
Raines posts storm watches and warnings on the county’s emergency management Facebook page. Many people rely on phone apps now, he said, but he still encourages residents to keep a weather radio at home.
Those radios don’t rely on cell service and can keep working during power outages. In a bad storm, that can make a difference.
Weather is the most common concern this time of year, but it’s far from the only thing on the radar.
Raines said hazardous material incidents are another situation his office prepares for. In the past few years, there have been a couple of crashes on Interstate 44 involving semi-trucks carrying dangerous materials. When that happens, emergency management works alongside fire departments and regional hazmat crews to figure out whether evacuations or other safety steps are needed.
The job also involves working closely with law enforcement on security concerns and other threats.
And sometimes the challenges have more to do with people than the emergency itself.
Last year brought a unique situation when the season’s first tornado touched down on March 14 and damaged parts of the county’s Amish community.
Helping that community required a little creativity.
“They didn’t necessarily want help from the government,” Raines said. “But they would accept help from their neighbors.”
So donations from local businesses and residents were collected and brought to the emergency management warehouse. Friends and neighbors of the Amish families then picked up food and water and delivered it themselves.
It worked. And it showed how different communities sometimes need different approaches.
Communication with the Amish population can also be tricky. Many households do not use the same technology most people rely on.
Some have cell phones, but not everyone does. Media access can also be limited. There has been talk in recent years about developing weather radios designed to fit within Amish customs. Raines said there have even been meetings about the idea, though the technology is still being worked on.
For residents who want to lend a hand, there are a few ways to get involved locally.
One option is the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, better known as ARES. The group meets the first Tuesday of each month and focuses on ham radio communication. It may sound old-school, but it still plays an important role during disasters.
When the deadly 2011 Joplin tornado struck southwest Missouri, some of the first communication coming out of the city came from ham radio operators after cell towers went down.
Raines said the county is always looking for younger operators willing to learn the ropes.
Another option is the Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT. The volunteer program was restarted last year and trains local residents to help before, during and after emergencies. Training follows guidelines set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, with extra instruction added locally.
Those volunteers have already helped in real situations, including assisting in the search for a missing man last year.
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