Texas County emergency management officials were among those attending the 21st annual Missouri Emergency Management Conference in Branson last month.
Bob Ellsworth, county director; Tom Borta, Local Emergency Response Team; and John Robinson, county Citizens Emergency Response Team, attended. They said they returned to the county seat with new information, methods and programs available to protect residents in the event of a disaster.
The conference focused on volunteers’ role in the aftermath of an event.
Motivational speaker and humorist Bryan Townsend told those gathered that a volunteer must possess four key attributes before a disaster strikes:
1. Care enough to put forth their best effort and energy to get the job done right. Success doesn’t happen by accident; it happens on purpose.
2. Plan for success. Failing to plan means you’re planning to fail. We need to know what skills and/or resources you, your business and/or organization will bring to get the job done better and faster.
3. Be a team player. No one can do the job alone. You’re either on the team or you’re off the team. There’s no time in the aftermath to be “on the fence post.” Others need to know you and trust you and you need to know and trust the others by your side.
4. It’s your duty. You have a responsibility and obligation to yourself and your community to “get ‘er done!” Be part of the solution.
In the aftermath, rebuilding must be coordinated and orchestrated so there is no duplication of efforts or any necessity forgotten. Volunteers learned lessons from the challenges faced during Katrina and as recent as Missouri’s own ice storms and flooding.
Missouri suggests communities establish an organization that will go into action after a disaster occurs. This means only registered and credentialed volunteers will have access to the “disaster area.” Texas County has formed the Texas County Citizens Corps Council.
Officials said a “spontaneous volunteer” (one who shows up at the scene after the disaster) has good intentions, but cannot be as effective as a “trained volunteer.”
The first meeting of the new county organization is 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 15, at the Texas County Justice Center. Volunteers are sought.
Persons not able to attend, but who would like more information, can contact Harold Bruening, 950 North U.S. 63, Suite 700, call 417-967-3222 or e-mail at txcoccc@yahoo.com.