Emergency Management

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20110911/NEWS01/109110356/Terror-response-systems-can-provide-aid-variety-emergency-situations?nclick_check=1

Page 1 of 2 Dec 30, 2013 06:51:20PM MST

Berndt

Terror response systems can provide aid in a variety of emergency situations Written by Cliff Sain News-Leader Sep. 10, 2011 | news-leader.com

Terror response systems can provide aid in a variety of emergency situations

Emergency response in Joplin enhanced by homeland security.

Homeland Security Regional Response System

According to the Missouri Department of Public Safety, the Homeland Security Regional Response System provides the ability to respond to emergencies such as chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives or Weapons of Mass Destruction. Components can include haz-mat teams, SWAT teams, bob squads and medical personnel.

Security efforts created in response to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 have resulted in more than just protecting Americans from attack.

One example of how a program born for terrorism response is available for other types of assistance played out in Joplin following a destructive EF-5 tornado.

Emergency personnel from the Branson area were among many across southwest Missouri that responded to Joplin the night of the May 22 tornado, as well as in subsequent days, to search for survivors and provide other services. In all, Taney County agencies sent three teams of personnel to Joplin in the week following the tornado.

Taney County Emergency Management Director Chris Berndt said many of the items taken to Joplin were funded by grants from Homeland Security, an agency created in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. But the biggest help, he said, might have been the regional coordination. He said that before 9/11 fire departments mainly assisted neighboring departments. But equipment obtained through Homeland Security is intended to be used over a broad region, so departments from southwest Missouri all worked together on response plans.

"It really helped us to become familiar with each other," Berndt said. "Homeland Security really pushes us to become more regional."

Berndt said the impact showed up some in the regional response to the May 2003 tornado in Pierce City, but he said the regional training really paid off this time.

"There is no question it made a big difference (in Joplin.)"

The night of the tornado, Branson and Western Taney County Fire Protection District (for which Berndt serves as chief) sent crews to search for survivors and brought equipment for shoring up structures (the

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20110911/NEWS01/109110356/Terror-response-systems-can-provide-aid-variety-emergency-situations?nclick_check=1

Page 2 of 2 Dec 30, 2013 06:51:20PM MST

latter was ultimately not needed). Later in the week, they sent another search and rescue team, which included rescue dogs.

The final team, according to Branson Fire & Rescue Chief Ted Martin, was a Homeland Security Regional Response System team that was in Joplin during Pres. Barack Obama's visit May 29.

"It was three crews and some Joplin personnel," Martin said. "We could decontaminate a host of items and up to 1,200 people an hour. Say a semi overturns and contaminated material is exposed. We can decontaminate a large area."

The team not only includes firefighters, but police officers and ambulance district personnel. It also consists of a haz-mat truck and a decontamination support trailer.

Martin said Joplin has a similar team, but its equipment was destroyed.

Martin said the program was funded initially by a Homeland Security grant. It has to be maintained locally, but he said there is occasionally grant funding available to maintain it and to train personnel.