CITY HONORED FOR DISASTER PREPARATIONS

People don't like to think about impending disaster. But when you're in government, officials must plan for public safety.

Cape Girardeau's city officials have done such a good job planning for disaster that the state has bestowed a special honor. The city was named Missouri's first disaster resistant community.

The state praised the city for a number of projects:

-- The flood-control project along Cape La Croix Creek and Walker Branch, which was funding by an 1988 sales tax.

-- The city's $2.5 million flood-buyout program.

-- Demolition of 30 flood-damaged homes after the 1993 flood.

-- Improvements to prevent flood damage at the water treatment and waste-water treatment plants.

-- A sewer overflow program funded by a sales tax approved in 1994 to separate sewer and storm-water lines.

Many people can take credit for this work, including the taxpayers. Without taxpayer support and direction, the city wouldn't have been able to proceed with many of these major projects.

Ongoing disaster training will help city workers respond to flooding, earthquakes and other potential disasters.

Disaster training makes sense for Cape Girardeau. The city is situated on the banks of the Mississippi River and along the New Madrid earthquake fault. River flooding hit the city and region hard in 1193 and 1995. Historically, flooding, earthquakes and tornadoes have produced disaster and death in the region.

Last year, the city and Cape Girardeau public schools shared a grant to step up emergency preparedness. The city hopes that the new designation will grease the way for other federal and state grants.

Mayor Al Spradling III has said a tornado warning system may well be one of the projects the city could pursue if funding becomes available. That would certainly be a project worth exploring.

The city is also examining the possibility of setting up emergency generators such as those at the water treatment plant to protect city services. Another possibility is seismic protection for the city's water storage tanks.

The city has also set up a steering committee with business leaders to help target ways commercial companies can prepare. Business losses can run into the millions of dollars during a disaster, and preplanning and education may help lower the risks. To build effectiveness, emergency preparedness should be shared with all segments of the community.

City and school officials hope this extensive disaster training will never be put to use. But when disaster strikes, Cape Girardeau will be prepared.