February 19, 2010
Governor says Missouri must be ready for a rapid, coordinated emergency response by drawing on law enforcement, medical, faith and community partners
Gov. Nixon hosts New Madrid summit to discuss earthquake preparedness, coordinate emergency response
Gov. Jay Nixon leads a roundtable discussion on earthquake preparedness with state and local emergency management officials on Feb. 19 in New Madrid. The conversation focused on strategies to ensure that Missouri will have the best coordinated response possible if an earthquake occurs in the New Madrid Seismic Zone. The Governor has proclaimed February 2010 as Earthquake Preparedness Month in Missouri.
NEW MADRID, Mo -- Gov. Jay Nixon today met with leaders in public safety, emergency response, law enforcement, emergency medical care, faith groups and the Missouri National Guard to strengthen state and local preparedness in the event of an earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ).
"We must ensure that we have the best coordinated response plan in place and are ready to implement it immediately," Gov. Nixon said. "History has shown that advance planning, coordination and communication between all levels of governments, emergency responders and faith and community leaders is essential in any disaster response. I called this summit to make sure that Missourians get the quickest and most effective response possible in the event of an earthquake."
The New Madrid Seismic Zone is the nation's most active seismic zone east of the Rocky Mountains. What are believed to be the three largest earthquakes in history in the continental United States occurred in the NMSZ in the winter of 1811-1812.
In Missouri, a major NMSZ earthquake could have a significant impact as far away as St. Louis, while also having an impact in Arkansas, Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. Missouri has comprehensive earthquake response plans in place to address the 47 counties that likely would be impacted most directly.
"Missouri continues to lead the nation in teaming with faith-based and voluntary community organizations to help shelter, feed and provide other essential services to survivors of ice storms, tornadoes and severe weather and flooding," Gov. Nixon said. "We must ensure those plans and partnerships are capable of meeting the tremendous needs that would result from a major earthquake."
Gov. Nixon was joined today by Missouri Department of Public Safety Deputy Director Andrea Spillars and Missouri National Guard Adjutant General Stephen Danner. During a roundtable discussion, the Governor asked local law enforcement, fire service, emergency management and business and utility leaders, along with religious and non-profit volunteers, to outline their preparation efforts and any assistance they might need from the state to ensure the best response possible.
Gov. Nixon has signed a proclamation declaring February as Earthquake Awareness Month in Missouri. During February, the State Emergency Management Agency is participating in a series of events around the state that are designed to increase earthquake preparedness efforts by citizens, schools, businesses and non-profits. For more information on those events and earthquake awareness events go to: sema.dps.mo.gov