Southeast Missouri is preparing for the worst Mother Nature has to offer after the first meeting of Community Organizations Active in Disasters.
Butler County EMA Director Robbie Myers explained groups and businesses have previously gotten together to discuss disaster response, but this is the first time it has happened under the umbrella of COAD. COAD groups are recognized as local businesses, organizations and civic entities that work together to coordinate disaster services for their areas.
“We have to come together when there’s floods, ice storms, tornadoes, or an earthquake. And this was just a good opportunity to get everyone together,” Myers said. “We’re blessed to live in a community where we have people that want to help their neighbors.”
The meeting was held at Fellowship Church on May 23. Attendees included representatives of the Butler County Health Department, FCC Behavioral Health, the VA, the Animal Welfare Alliance of Southeast Missouri, First United Methodist Church, Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation, Poplar Bluff School District and the Daily American Republic. Each one outlined what resources they could provide in a disaster, from transportation to pet care to emergency pharmacies.
“Whatever an organization does in their day-to-day, oftentimes there is a corresponding service they can provide in times of need for victims,” Myers said.
He hoped COAD members could also discover untapped community resources through communication within and between organizations. This could fill gaps in knowledge and services needed during disasters.
“If we can eliminate some of those, we might be able to save some valuable time to get things on the ground and into helping people sooner rather than later,” he noted.
“As Butler County Emergency Management director, my first goal is to try to connect ... resources we have available to us here in our community,” Myers explained.
This begins with other communities with which Poplar Bluff shares a memorandum of understanding sharing their resources, followed by regional, state and federal sources.
COAD also remains active after SEMA and FEMA have departed. Members help get people back into their homes or connect them with services to provide for their needs, Myers explained.
“All disasters begin and end locally,” he said.
COAD’s next meeting will be held on Oct. 2.