COUNTY PREPARES FOR EMERGENCIES

Be prepared is the motto for Cape Girardeau County in case of a disaster.

In an effort to get prepared, key players from local governments, agencies and companies are meeting regularly to work out an emergency response plan.

The group, called EMAC, Emergency Management Action Committee, met Wednesday. Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones stressed the importance of working together in advance of an emergency situation like a flood, tornado or earthquake.

"You can't be too prepared," Jones said.

Representatives began quarterly meetings through EMAC to learn before a disaster strikes more about who they would deal with and what different groups do.

David Hitt, Cape Girardeau County director of emergency operations, explained that many organizations already have some type of disaster plan in place, and many of those groups practice their plans on a regular basis.

Organizers would like to see preparations taken further. The committee hopes to plan an annual training exercise to give different organizations such as governments, hospitals and utilities a chance to practice their disaster plans in conjunction with others.

Jones said: "We need to really work together. We need to be prepared countywide."

In September, 75 people from Cape Girardeau County attended training in Jefferson City. As part of the program, officials participated in a mock disaster.

Those people will meet again Jan. 22. Hitt said the goal of the meeting is to review what was learned during the state exercise and perhaps to make plans for a local disaster drill.

In addition, members of EMAC talked with local media representatives about ways to better deliver information during a disaster.