Panel gives security recommendations

ST. LOUIS -- There are no statewide standards directing emergency workers in Missouri how to respond to an attack by a weapon of mass destruction, and public health officials have no state-based stockpile of immunizations and other medicines.

Those are two of the many findings of the Missouri Security Panel, which met Friday in St. Louis to report to Gov. Bob Holden and provide recommendations on how to better secure the state in defense of a terrorist attack or man-made disaster.

"I think Missouri is better prepared than most states, but not nearly as prepared as we need to be," Holden told the 32 members of the panel, which he appointed to study the state's homeland security infrastructure in the wake of Sept. 11.

In meetings held across the state, as well as additional investigation and research, the panel's committees examined how the state could be better prepared in areas such as transportation, public health, government operations and utilities.

The results were varied. Gary Rainwater, the president and CEO of Ameren Corp., one of the state's largest utilities, said the precautions taken leading up to Y2K had left his industry largely prepared to respond to an emergency.

However, Dr. Maureen Dempsey, the outgoing director of the state Department of Health and Senior Services, said her committee, which looked at public health readiness, made 113 recommendations for improvement.

The recommendations range from expensive physical items, such as a statewide communications network for local, state and federal officials to use during an emergency, to suggestions to the state legislature for changes in law. Among them:

Developing a central communications system that includes common points of contact for the public, government and media, as well as a structure for those groups to communicate in the event of an emergency.

Expand the state's criminal statutes to include terrorist activities.

Purchase and supply all of the state's first responders -- police, fire fighters, emergency workers -- with personal protective equipment.

Increase regional cooperation and planning among government agencies, perhaps within the borders used by the Missouri State Highway Patrol's nine troops.