EMERGENCY PERSONNEL HEAR ABOUT CALIFORNIA EARTHQUAKE READINESS

SIKESTON -- Two California officials who have dealt with earthquakes and other disasters brought their stories to Southeast Missouri Friday.

Three more California officials are on the agenda today for the continuation of a workshop sponsored by the Southeast Missouri Emergency Management Association.

More than 80 area residents involved in emergency preparedness heard Friday's comments, designed to stimulate planning for community response and recovery following a disaster.

Brian Miller, Cape Girardeau County coordinator of emergency preparedness, said a benefit is the ability to exchange ideas with others from the area involved in disaster planning. For example, he said he met Joe Burton of Sikeston, the new Scott County emergency management director, for the first time.

Miller said he was anxious to hear how the California officials dealt with the recovery process in later years. He said the infrastructure and economic damage may have a greater impact on the area than an actual earthquake. Planning for recovery is just starting to draw attention in the area, he said.

Also attending from Cape Girardeau County were Marvin Sides, Jackson police chief; Rich Neace of the Gordonville Fire Department; Randon Grissom, dispatcher with the Cape Girardeau Police Department; and Kevin McMeel, assistant director of public works in Cape Girardeau.

McMeel said his department will be involved after a major earthquake in clearing streets and helping to restore water and other services. He said having a plan for workers who will be concerned about their own families is important before a disaster strikes.

Lt. Paul Boyd of the Sikeston Department of Public Safety said about 10 city employees from various departments were participating in the workshop. He said he was looking forward to today's discussions since specific emergency responses to a disaster will be highlighted.

The California officials are sharing what they learned during the aftermath of a 7.1 earthquake centered around Loma Prieta, Calif., in October 1989. The epicenter was in Santa Cruz, Calif., about 90 miles south of San Francisco. As one of the officials told the group: "The earthquake was an emergency, but the recovery was the disaster."

Participants heard a review of the geology involved in the New Madrid Fault. A large-scale earthquake of 7.0 magnitude is expected to cause serious damage over a nine-state area.

Gregory Hempen of the Missouri Commission for Seismic Safety based in St. Louis discussed the effects of earthquakes on structures. Jim Wilkinson, a mitigation specialist with the Central United States Earthquake Consortium in Memphis, discussed steps to take before an earthquake to minimize damage.

Daniel Shaw, planning director for Santa Cruz County, Calif., said the Loma Prieta quake was the most devastating thing he's ever seen.

"One minute you're OK, and the next your life is changed forever," Shaw said.

He said the degree of preplanning will affect the area's success in handling a disaster. He said area officials will need to make some hard decisions, particularly in zoning and building code regulations. He suggested that building codes contain minimal seismic standards for any new buildings.

Lloyd Miler of Poplar Bluff, president of the SEMO-EMA, reminded the group that each area of Southeast Missouri would be on its own for 72 hours after a major earthquake. He said everyone must have plans to survive during that time until help can be received from outside the area.