(Kansas City, MO)—On the first anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, Congressman Cleaver and Congressman Moore will be briefed by the region’s emergency planners on plans for ensuring the safety of the area’s residents in the case of a catastrophic disaster. 

“In the event of a large-scale disaster, regional disaster planning and coordination is critical to effectively manage an emergency incident,” Moore said.  “Because of the efforts of the Mid-America Regional Council and others in the Kansas City region, a strong regional planning network exists that will help federal, state, and local officials and emergency responders coordinate their response to a natural disaster or attack.”

“On this anniversary of Katrina, it is important that we not just talk about the lessons learned, but actually see how those lessons have been implemented. Long before Katrina our region realized that if a massive disaster happened in the center city, we would have to call on our friends from around the region to come to our aid,” said Congressman Cleaver. “The Mid-America Regional Council has made sure that federal Homeland Security dollars have been used to enhance the entire region’s ability to respond and work together to keep our citizens safe.” 

The Johnson County Emergency Operation Center (EOC) is a prime example of the regional coordination the Mid-America Regional Council has fostered. The operations of the entire metropolitan area can be relocated to the Johnson County EOC if downtown Kansas City becomes inaccessible.

The briefing will focus on regional preparedness and planning efforts, terrorism deterrence programs, communication interoperability, and public heath preparedness and precautions.
 
Who: Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) and Congressman Dennis Moore (KS-03) will be briefed by by the region’s emergency planners and emergency services personnel
What: Disaster Preparedness Briefing
When:  August 29, 2006 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Where: Overland Park Emergency Operations Center, 2401 Hemlock, Overland Park, KS  (The EOC is in the lower level of the Overland Park Fire Training Facility. The facility may be reached from Antioch Road, going west on 125th Street, north on Hemlock.) 

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee.