Texas County’s emergency operations center was activated June 19-21 as this area participated in a statewide test of disaster operation plans throughout Missouri.
John Robinson, county emergency director, said a catastrophic event, such as an earthquake, will test the area’s emergency services.
Under the drill, persons associated with emergencies in the county had the opportunity to practice and work with nine other counties that comprise Region G of the State Emergency Management Agency, as well as ham operators. The counties also comprise Troop G of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The exercise covered the first 45 days from initial response to the earthquake and other recovery efforts.
“Situations expected to happen in a real earthquake tested Texas County and Region G’s response to the massive movement of evacuees from the east side of the state and all the needs evacuees and our local population,will have,” Robinson said, noting that it gave a first-hand view of the county’s emergency response responsibilities in such a catastrophe.