CAPE COUNTY HONES EMERGENCY PLANNING

Officials in Cape Girardeau County are taking a serious approach to making sure the county is prepared in the event of a disaster, and the people of the county will be thankful they are doing so should a major disaster strike.

Representatives of county and city governments and some organizations last fall attended a mock disaster exercise in Jefferson City to find out how well the county is prepared. They learned a lot, and recently they followed up the exercise with a meeting to review the information and move forward with a preparedness plan.

The mock exercise made one thing clear to all of those involved in emergency preparedness: Although the county is way ahead of others, its emergency preparedness plan is far from perfect.

Some legitimate concerns were raised during a brainstorming session at the follow-up meeting. The need for communication among agencies and organizations and a willingness to share, collect and disseminate information were cited. A plan for handling mass fatalities is needed. Establishment of first-aid stations to back up local hospitals is needed. Those participating also wanted to know what medical resources are available and where they are located.

Among other questions: Where would emergency shelters be located? What about Southeast Missouri State University and its students? Can local personnel do damage assessments needed to activate state and federal assistance?

All are good questions that demand answers if Cape Girardeau County is to become even better prepared for an emergency. And answers to those and other questions are being sought.

As Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones put it: "I think this is the start of being the best prepared county in Missouri. We must do more than say, `That sure was a good meeting in Jefferson City.'"

The county is way ahead of most in Missouri in being prepared for emergencies, but more will be done as emergency planners continue to put together the best possible plan for Cape Girardeau County. It is reassuring to know that the county has such a plan of action when disaster strikes.