Preparedness Division Manager

The Preparedness Division works to create coordinated statewide response plans and to provide training for local and state personnel so Missouri effectively responds to emergencies and disasters. The division has responsibility for State Planning, Continuity of Government (COOP) Planning, Medical Countermeasures, Strategic National Stockpile, Training and Exercises, Emergency Human Services, and Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP). This division also works closely with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to deliver work plan activities outlined in the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) and the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) grants. A number of preparedness division staff are PHEP capability leads. Examples of division work products include the update of the State of Missouri Emergency Operations Plan, the delivery of training courses and exercises for state employees and local officials, radiological training, planning and exercises to support the Callaway Nuclear Station and the Cooper Nuclear Station in Nebraska, COOP planning and lead coordinator for all state departments and the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP). The State Voluntary Agency Liaison (VAL) leads the Emergency Human Services program which focuses on partnering with faith-based and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to deliver services to people harmed by disasters.

Preparedness Section

Emergency Human Services

The Emergency Human Services Program is led by the State Voluntary Agency Liaison (VAL). During disasters, this program works with faith-based and non-governmental voluntary organizations, as well as local, state and federal agencies to coordinate assistance for disaster survivors. During recovery, the State VAL provides technical assistance to long-term recovery committees. The State VAL also serves as the point of contact for the Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Service Partnership for Disaster Recovery, Missouri Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (MO VOAD), Missouri Interfaith Disaster Response Organization (MIDRO) and local Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COADs). Together, these organizations are an essential part of Missouri’s disaster response and recovery model, significantly enhancing the state’s ability to plan and prepare for, mitigate against, respond to and recover from any disaster. To accomplish this, the partner organizations maximize public and private resources to facilitate an efficient, integrated system for addressing immediate human service needs, such as sheltering and feeding, as well as long-term needs like housing, infrastructure, community and economic development.

Training and Exercises

Jurisdictions across Missouri have found that the best way to respond to disasters is by preparing in advance with training activities and using the skills learned to build effective local teams and coalitions. The Emergency Management Training (EMT) curriculum delivered by SEMA offers an extensive array of training opportunities for Missouri state and local emergency managers, public officials, members of volunteer assistance organizations, and professionals in related fields. The EMT program offers comprehensive courses in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. SEMA’s Exercise team provides support to local jurisdictions, regional and state agencies, and volunteer and community organizations to design, conduct and evaluate all levels of emergency exercises for threats ranging from local hazmat events to a major earthquake requiring a statewide response.

Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program (REP)

Planning and preparing for a possible radiological incident at commercial nuclear power plants is essential to protecting Missourians. SEMA’s Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program is designed to ensure the health and safety of Missourians living near nuclear power plants in the event of a nuclear power accident. The REP Program addresses the unique needs of offsite response organizations (OROs) surrounding commercial nuclear power plants in Missouri (Callaway Energy Center operated by Ameren Missouri, located in Reform, MO and Cooper Nuclear Power Station operated by Nebraska Public Power located in Brownsville, NE). The term “ORO” refers to state, and local governments, licensee emergency response organizations, if applicable, and other supporting organizations. Onsite activities are the responsibility of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

SEMA maintains the Missouri Nuclear Accident Plan for the two nuclear power plants in accordance with FEMA and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance, and NRC regulatory requirements. Additionally, SEMA develops and maintains appropriate local plans and procedures, and special facility plans and procedures, including training to ensure implementation of all federal requirements. SEMA also provides assistance for local jurisdictions statewide in planning and training for possible radiological incidents, including for fixed sites, transportation incidents and possible terrorist activities involving radioactive materials. SEMA provides annual radiation safety training for the Missouri Department of Transportation and conducts independent audits of MoDOT’s gauge program.

The REP Program includes a Radiological Instrument Maintenance and Calibration (RIMC) shop, which maintains an NRC Material By-Product License. This license allows SEMA to calibrate radiological equipment for state and local agencies SEMA also provides training for specific radiological equipment (e.g. monitoring equipment and nuclear density gauges used in highway construction) used by state and local agencies. This satisfies rules and regulations established by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

State Planning Program

The State Planning Program works with local, state, federal, and whole community planning partners to develop and maintain the State of Missouri Emergency Operations Plan and the Joint State of Missouri and FEMA Region VII New Madrid Seismic Zone Earthquake Interagency Operations Plan. The State Planning Program is responsible for the development and maintenance of internal SEMA planning documents that include the SEMA Health and Safety Manual and the SEMA Emergency Management Program Five-Year Strategic Plan. The State Planning Program also assists SEMA staff with numerous planning initiatives to help develop planning documents relating to their programs and activities. This includes reviewing and updating plans and standard operating procedures, developing planning guidance and templates, and participating in exercises to test plans and procedures.

Strategic National Stockpile/Medical Countermeasures Program

The Medical Countermeasures Program manages the planning, receipt, distribution and storage for pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies and equipment necessary to respond to a major emergency or disaster when local supplies may become depleted. These supplies are provided through the federal Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) program, a national repository of critical drugs and medical supplies designed to supplement and resupply state and local public health agencies and hospitals in a major emergency. The goal is to deliver SNS lifesaving pharmaceuticals to any location within 12 hours once the federal decision to deploy is made.

Mass Fatality Program

The State of Missouri has the capacity to deploy and support disaster mortuary activities from events resulting in over 200 fatalities without federal support; while having the ability to process the remains of between 20-40 individuals (depending upon condition), in a 24-hour period. Specialized personnel are experts in their respective fields, and can be deployed anywhere in the State in as little as 4-6 hours. Specialized equipment, including the state-of-the-art Disaster Portable Morgue Unit, can be deployed in 24-hours or less. The Missouri Mortuary Operations Response Team (MOMORT-1) maintains readiness through a robust schedule of training and exercises, and stands ready to deploy at all times.

Missouri Disaster Chaplaincy Program

The Missouri Disaster Chaplaincy Program is an important component of the emergency response system. Missourians rely on a robust and effective response system to provide care for the ill, injured, and bereaved to help people recover from tragedy and loss. The Program exists to coordinate and support the identification, deployment, transportation, and demobilization of Chaplain resources required in response to a broad suite of disasters—large and small—that affect the health of our communities.

Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP)

EMAP revolutionizes emergency management programs that coordinate preparedness and response activities for disasters based on American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-certified standards, ultimately creating safer and more resilient communities. EMAP recognizes the ability of emergency management programs to bring together personnel, resources, and communications from a variety of agencies and organizations in preparation for and in response to an emergency, in addition to obtaining the ability to measure those capabilities. EMAP is the only accreditation process for emergency management programs.

Continuity of Operations

The Continuity of Operations Program has the primary responsibility for providing planning guidance, assistance, and coordination to state departments, agencies, and local governments in the development and maintenance of continuity of operations plans (COOPs). The program oversees maintenance of SEMA’s Continuity of Operations plan. Continuity of Operations plans have been developed for all 16 Executive departments and the Judiciary. SEMA provides planning and technical assistance to local jurisdictions to develop and maintain continuity of operations plans.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness/Hospital Preparedness Program

SEMA’s Preparedness Division supports Missouri’s Public Health and Health Care Preparedness capabilities. Program staff help manage and support the Missouri Disaster Medical Assistance Team (MO DMAT-1), the Missouri Mortuary Operations Response Team (MO MORT-1), Medical Countermeasures Measures (Strategic National Stockpile) Program, Show-Me Response Volunteer Registry, Medical Reserve Corps (MRCs), the Missouri Disaster Chaplaincy Program, as well as various on-going public health and medical projects. These programs are funded via a contract through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). Federal funding is administered through cooperative agreements by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR).