State encouraging locals to prepare for emergencies

A state agency hopes to convince Missourians to plan for the worst so they can survive everything from tornadoes to possible terrorist attacks.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services launched its new "Ready in 3" program Wednesday to encourage people to prepare for emergencies.

A recent statewide study found that one in four families doesn't think it is necessary to prepare for an emergency and almost 40 percent are unsure how to prepare, said Ron Cates, chief operating officer of the Department of Health and Senior Services.

Emergencies can affect anyone, he said. In 2003, tornadoes affected 60,000 residents in 76 Missouri counties. Ice storms caused power outages in parts of Missouri this winter.

Cates outlined the new "Ready in 3" program at a news conference at the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center.

The program, funded through federal grants, encourages families to take three simple steps:

Create a family emergency plan.

Prepare an emergency kit for home, car and work, including at least three days supply of water and canned or dried food.

Listen to information about what to do and where to go during an actual emergency.

Cates said the Department of Health and Senior Services initially is distributing 1.2 million "family safety" brochures through over 600 public and parochial schools and over 300 retailers, including Wal-Mart stores.

The brochures offer everything from supply lists for emergency kits to fires safety tips.

The state is spending 13 cents per brochure on the project or $156,000 in federal grant money, officials said. Cates said the funding is coming from federal grant money to combat bio-terrorism.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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