WORKSHOP TO FOCUS ON RESPONSE TO DISASTERS

SIKESTON -- Planning for a major earthquake will be the focus of a workshop Friday and Saturday in Sikeston.

Five California officials who regularly deal with earthquakes will discuss their experiences. The workshop, at the Ramada Inn, is sponsored by the Southeast Missouri Emergency Management Association, consisting of representatives from 14 counties.

Approximately 100 emergency response personnel and government officials are expected, said Roger Manwaring of Sikeston, secretary-treasurer of the SEMO-EMA.

A goal of the workshop is to ensure that all governmental agencies have a working plan for dealing with emergencies, Manwaring said. The workshop will highlight the Incident Command System, a recognized method for handling disasters, he said.

A major earthquake will be the topic because that is the "worst-case scenario" for Southeast Missouri, Manwaring said. If agencies have a plan for this emergency, responses to other disasters can be modified to meet the situation, he said.

The workshop will begin each day at 8:30 a.m. and run until after 3 p.m. There is a $20 fee to cover lunch and materials for both days.

Lt. Paul Boyd of the Sikeston Department of Public Safety said California is ahead of Missouri in mutual-aid agreements and emergency preparedness. "Their experiences will be invaluable to us in Southeast Missouri," Boyd said. He said they must deal with large-scale incidents over wide areas.

Friday's agenda includes a welcome from Jerry Ulhmann of Jefferson City, director of Missouri's Emergency Management Agency; the geology of the New Madrid Fault; recent seismic findings in the fault; effects of earthquakes on structures; first response within schools; emergency operations; and working with volunteers in responding to disasters.

Lessons from the Loma Prieta, Calif., earthquake will lead Saturday's discussion. Shelter management, donated goods, economic recovery, lessening the negative impact on business and lessons from that disaster will be discussed. The workshop will end with a question and answer session.