After the Storm: Missouri’s Commitment to Joplin

5.9 MB·English

by  Missouri Office of Governor, Missouri Department of Public Safety

AA
FTER
THE STORM
Missouri’s Commitment
J
to OPLIN
RESPONSE. RECOVERY.
REVITALIZATION.
January 2012
Office of Missouri Governor
Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon
Cunningham Park aglow
at Nov. 22 Remembrance.
“In Joplin, the sun rises every day on a different place,
and sets every night on a better place.”
Gov. Jay Nixon
Joplin Six-Month Remembrance
Nov. 22, 2011
A
FTER
THE STORM
Gov. Jay Nixon
We are committed to making Joplin
an even better place to live
AS WE BEGIN THE NEW YEAR, I want to update you on the tremendous progress
being made in Joplin since the devastating May 22 tornado. The First Lady and I also
want to thank the tens of thousands of Missourians and others from around the world
who responded to Joplin, including the men and women from more than 400 emergency
response agencies and the Missouri National Guard, who saved lives; and the volunteers from faith-
based and charitable groups, who provided crucial support and vital services.
MAY 22, 2011, is a day after the tornado touched
most Missourians will never down. They are committed to
forget: the heart-wrenching continuing to work tirelessly
images of a tornado-ravaged with residents, businesses
city; the shock as we and local leaders.
learned that scores of lives
had been lost. Eventually, AS WE’VE MOVED
that number would climb to forward, my overarching
more than 160. directives to state agencies
But I also will never have been simple: waive or
forget the images from my streamline regulatory hurdles
many trips to Joplin since On scene: Governor and Mrs. Nixon at St. John’s wherever practical and safe;
the tornado: the dramatic Mercy Hospital on May 23. adapt existing programs and
changes in the landscape, grants to inject funding and
the rebuilding of homes, businesses, schools and expertise into Joplin; support our private partners
parks, and, of course, the unwavering spirit of the who are the engines of economic and community
people of the Joplin area. I am constantly impressed revitalization; and put the well-being of the children
and inspired each time I visit Joplin. and families of the Joplin area first. Above all else:
Move quickly. Move safely. Start now.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW that Missouri remains I am proud of the work that state employees are
committed to working closely with community doing and that they are committed to doing in the
leaders to ensure that Joplin not only recovers, but years to come. Working together, the people of
that it thrives. The state is committed to rebuilding Missouri can meet any challenge. Joplin reminds us
a community with a robust economy, good jobs and of that every day.
housing for families, strong schools and playgrounds
Sincerely,
for children.
My repetition of the word “commitment” is
no accident. Commitment sums up the story that
unfolds in the pages that follow. State agencies and Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon
state employees began responding immediately Governor
‘‘
‘‘I am constantly impressed and
inspired each time I visit Joplin.
A
FTER Table of contents
THE STORM
Missouri’s Commitment
J
to OPLIN
5-22-11
5:41
EF-5
RESPONSE. RECOVERY.
REVITALIZATION.
6
INTRODUCTION
Within moments of the
massive tornado hitting,
Joplin starts building its
20
resurgent future.
PROTECTING
MENTAL HEALTH
Acting to protect
16 children, other
survivors and
EXPEDITED
12
emergency responders.
ASSISTANCE
MISSOURI
AND CONSUMER
NATIONAL GUARD
8 PROTECTION 21
RESPONDS
EMERGENCY Acting quickly to meet Profile
The Guard fills
RESPONSE AND survivor needs, solve Department
important roles in
COORDINATION problems and protect of Mental
search and rescue,
State government’s consumers. Health’s
security, public health
swift and decisive Matt
and debris removal.
response begins Survivor Stories Ferguson
immediately on May 22. protects
others.
22
13
EXPEDITING
18
Profile DEBRIS REMOVAL
10 Guardsman Jeffrey Price The Hughletts are A mission that could
MISSOURI STATE is on duty immediately. grateful for a devoted not be delayed so
state employee’s
HIGHWAY PATROL building could begin.
valuable assistance.
RESPONSE
Patrol personnel and
14 19
assets support security,
communications and RESPONDING TO Mark
law enforcement PROTECT PUBLIC Lindquist
HEALTH
coordination. thanks
Missouri’s disaster Missouri
11 medical and health National
plans help in treating the Guardsman
The Patrol promptly and
wounded and protecting who helped save his
sensitively accounts
public health. life.
for all persons.
4
A
FTER
THE STORM
24 36
28 29
RESTORING JOBS WORKING WITH
AND ASSISTING COMMITTED TO JOPLIN: VOLUNTEERS
BUSINESS Survivor Story Missouri Southern AND FAITH-BASED
Investing in workers Mercy’s commitment State University: PARTNERS
to ensure the Joplin to the Joplin community Commitment in the A model partnership of
community’s future. and its workforce. community’s hour of volunteers committed
need. to helping those in
need.
25
Survivor Stories
Dalton Farmer and
Melissa Bebee are
earning incomes as they
39
help rebuild. 32
THANKING FIRST
ENSURING JOPLIN’S
RESPONDERS
HOUSING FUTURE
Recognizing those
Gov. Nixon’s two-stage
devoted to public safety
approach: immediate
who answered the call.
construction, long-term
development.
26
Resources to help
30 34
businesses reopen their
BUILDING SCHOOLS, PARKS AND
doors and grow.
EDUCATING PLAYGROUNDS
CHILDREN Green space, trees
27 Ensuring the future of and playgrounds
40
Survivor Story Joplin’s most precious for reflection and
resource. rejuvenation. CONCLUSION:
Jeff Welborn:
BUILDING ON A
State loan
FOUNDATION OF
injects
FAITH
capital to
Faith and hard work
keep small
are propelling Joplin
business
forward. The evidence
going.
is unmistakable.
5
A
FTER
Introduction
THE STORM
5-22-11 5:41 EF-5
5-22-11 These numbers – the date, time and lethal force of one of the
country’s deadliest tornadoes on record – have been forever
5:41
linked to Joplin. They were broadcast around the world. They
EF-5
are now part of history. They will not change. Other numbers
would come in the days and weeks that followed: 8,000 homes and
buildings damaged or destroyed, more than 160 dead, damage estimates
in the billions of dollars. But they are not Joplin’s legacy.
Unlike the numbers in an equation that can produce only one outcome,
Joplin’s future was not determined by an EF-5 tornado at 5:41 p.m. on
May 22, 2011. Instead, Joplin’s citizens began determining their own
future in the first minutes after the danger had passed.
‘‘
‘‘I’ve lived in this neighborhood my entire life, and I didn’t
know where I was. Everything was unrecognizable.
Completely unrecognizable. It’s like Armageddon.
Jeff Law, tornado survivor, May 22
6
A
FTER
THE STORM
‘‘
‘‘What our nation has witnessed this week is the spirit of
Joplin, Missouri. And we are humbled and awed by it.
Gov. Nixon at May 29 Memorial Service attended by President Obama
JUST DAYS after the the tornado and in the weeks that
tornado hit, Gov. Jay Nixon, followed, more than 330 Missouri
describing the determination State Highway Patrol troopers
and self-reliance that Missourians and 89 civilian Patrol employees
are known for, said, we “were born er responded to Joplin.
d
a
for this mission.” Each day, the e At the height of the Missouri
L
s-
people of the Joplin area continue w National Guard’s response, more
e
N
building their resurgent future with d than 400 Guardsmen served in
el
optimism, determination and hard gfi Joplin. The State Emergency
n
work. They are being assisted by pri Management Agency worked 24
S
an outpouring of support from hours a day.
Missouri, the U.S. and the world.
er TEAMWORK
d
STANDING WITH JOPLIN ea In fact, virtually every state
L
Missouri state government and ws- government agency assisted – from
e
N
employees are determined to stand d the Missouri Veterans Commission
el
with Joplin as the rebuilding and fi dispatching wheelchair accessible
g
n
revitalization move forward. Many pri vans and personnel the night of
S
state employees are residents of the tornado, to the Department of
Joplin and Jasper and Newton Corrections supplying offender
counties, and the surrounding area. labor for assistance at donations
They also suffered injuries, lost warehouses, to dedicated
e
relatives, friends and neighbors; b Department of Economic
o
Gl
had homes and cars destroyed; and n Development employees who
comforted frightened children. opli continue working in Joplin to
J
The state’s response began Top: Peace Lutheran Pastor finance housing, assist businesses
immediately and only grew as the William Pape beside the and help the community recover.
recovery phase began and state destroyed church, May 29. State agencies are working with
agencies assisted with issues like Center: Gov. Nixon thanks Red local governments and citizens
housing, schools and business Cross worker, May 25. to identify needs and quickly
development. meet them. This commitment will
Below: Joplin Family Worship
In the immediate aftermath of Center member Shani Black, continue.
May 25.
7
A
FTER
Emergency response and coordination
THE STORM
Members of Missouri Task Force 1, an urban search and rescue team.
Delivering rapid response, coordination
and regional homeland security assets
STATE GOVERNMENT
A state of emergency allows
responded swiftly and
state agencies to directly
decisively on Sunday er
ad assist local governments with
night, May 22, as Joplin Le
s- coordination through the State
w
law enforcement and fire e
N Emergency Management
dispatchers relayed news eld Agency (SEMA). The
fi
that the city had been struck pring 24/7 state assistance would
by a major tornado with S
continue for weeks.
Emergency responders from 14
catastrophic consequences.
states assisted in Joplin.
HIGHWAY PATROL
EMERGENCY ACTIONS
JOPLIN RESPONDERS Because of the
Gov. Nixon immediately Highway Patrol troopers: 336 tremendous need for law
activated the State Emergency
Patrol civilian employees: 89 enforcement assistance and
Operations Center, mobilized
Local police, fire and EMS to provide additional radio
the Missouri National Guard, departments: 400+ communications, the Patrol’s
and directed the Missouri
command and communications
SUPPLIES
State Highway Patrol to
SEMA’s Logistics Branch vehicle was immediately
send all available troopers
coordinated supplies, including: moved to Joplin to assist with
and resources to assist in
Ice: Over 1/4 million pounds. dispatching law enforcement
Joplin. Missouri already
Protective masks: 4,200. personnel in the area.
was operating under a state
SEMA also provided generators, Missouri Department
of emergency because of
forklifts and fuel. of Conservation agents
spring storms and flooding.
and Department of Natural
TIME May 22: MAY 23
Heavily American
LINE EF-5 tornado strikes at Gov. Nixon meets
damaged St. Red Cross
5:41 p.m. Gov. Nixon with Highway Patrol,
John’s Mercy shelter opens
mobilizes Highway Patrol; National Guard; visits
Hospital is at Missouri
deploys National Guard Red Cross shelter and
fully evacuated Southern State
and state resources. evacuated hospital.
in 90 minutes. University.
8
A
FTER
THE STORM
‘‘
‘‘We are deploying every agency and resource available
to keep Missouri families safe, search for the missing,
provide emergency medical care, and begin to recover.
Gov. Nixon, May 23
Resources park rangers also assisted. More than 400
local law enforcement, fire and EMS departments from
across Missouri and from other states responded.
MUTUAL AID
The Missouri Division of Fire Safety helped
coordinate fire, EMS, and search and rescue mutual aid.
Missouri’s Incident Support Team program – which
sends experienced command-level emergency response
agency leaders to support local command during large-
scale emergencies – helped with command support State Emergency Operations Center activated.
critical to Joplin’s around-the-clock operations.
24/7 response coordination
HOMELAND SECURITY REGIONALIZATION
The State Emergency Operations Center
The Missouri Office of Homeland Security’s
in Jefferson City began 24-hour-a-day
regionalization effort paid dividends as response assets
operations coordinating tornado response
positioned throughout the region – including trailers
among local, state, federal, faith-based,
with cots, blankets and communications equipment –
volunteer and private-sector agencies.
were rapidly dispatched to Joplin.
The state’s “all hazard” response plan is
Assets from the Taney County Ambulance District
designed to deliver the necessary personnel
provided essential medical support at St. John’s Mercy
and resources no matter the type or scale of
Hospital and Joplin Memorial Hall.
the disaster.
Eventually, virtually every state agency responded –
Representatives from the Highway
from computers and support personnel from the Office
Patrol, National Guard, as well as state
of Administration to unemployment assistance from the
experts in search and rescue and health
Department of Labor.
response, emergency sheltering, logistics,
communications and other response areas,
all worked to meet the needs identified by
their counterparts on the ground in Joplin.
State agency representatives also assisted
er
ad in Joplin’s Emergency Operations Center.
e
L
s- SEMA’s Emergency Human Services
w
e
N Branch assisted with sheltering survivors
d
fiel and their pets and also quickly moved into
g
n
pri donations management as truckloads of
S
Cots, blankets and other supplies arrived in Joplin relief supplies were rushed to Joplin.
within hours and were used at the Red Cross shelter at
Missouri Southern State University beginning May 22.
MAY 24
Jasper and Newton Donations Gov. Nixon
With more severe
counties declared warehouse tours destruction
weather approaching,
federal disaster opens at MSSU by helicopter;
tornado sirens are
area, making federal to handle relief meets with FEMA
tested. Portable
assistance available. supplies already Administrator
sirens replace two
flowing into Joplin. Craig Fugate.
non-functioning ones. 9
A
FTER
Missouri State Highway Patrol response
THE STORM
State Highway Patrol leads massive law
enforcement response; largest in history
WHILE THE historic
tornado was still on
the ground in Joplin,
the Missouri State Highway
Patrol began organizing what
would become the largest law
enforcement response to a single
event in Missouri history. Field
Operations Bureau command
staff and Troop D, Springfield,
officers responded immediately to Gov. Nixon arrives for a ground survey of destruction on May 24.
coordinate the massive response
effort. Within five hours, more
emergency radio and satellite
than 50 troopers were assisting in
voice communications to the area.
search and rescue operations and
The MCCV, staffed and operated
providing security.
by the Patrol’s Communications
Division, became the primary
SPEEDING RESPONSE
communications asset for law
Because wrecked and
enforcement officers and agencies
overturned vehicles and debris
that responded to assist Joplin
closed Interstate 44, preventing
through June 12.
some response vehicles and
assets from moving into the area, SECURITY, COORDINATION
Highway Patrol Sgt. Mike
troopers helped facilitate the
The Patrol moved swiftly to
Watson searches St. John’s
complete reopening of I-44 within
provide a strong, visible presence
Mercy Hospital on May 22.
12 hours.
to both reassure shaken residents
and to prevent opportunistic
COMMUNICATIONS COMPLETING THE MISSION
crime. By daylight on May
The Patrol’s Mobile Command
The tornado destroyed
23, more than 100 uniformed and Communications Vehicle
phone lines and cellular towers,
troopers and support personnel operated 24/7 until June 12.
seriously impacting the ability to
were on scene.
communicate by cellphone.
The Patrol also assumed
The Patrol’s Mobile Command
coordination of all responding
and Communications Vehicle Patrol provided additional
law enforcement officers from
(MCCV) was immediately troopers without compromising
hundreds of agencies.
dispatched from Jefferson City other public safety needs across
and moved into the disaster MERGER BENEFITS the state. The merger meant the
zone. Within nine hours of the The Jan. 1 merger of the Patrol could assign an additional
tornado strike, it was providing Water Patrol into the Highway 24 troopers to Joplin.
TIME MAY 24
Shelter Highway Patrol’s Mobile
LINE Volunteer
population Command Communications
Reception
peaks at more Vehicle is repositioned outside
Center, staffed
than 500 at Red Joplin Emergency Operations
by AmeriCorps,
Cross and four Center from original disaster
opens at MSSU.
other shelters. zone location.
10