SEMA Prepared to Deal With Possible Act of Terrorism

Missouri’s State Emergency Management Agency is confident it could deal with a terrorist incident because it stays ready to deal with any disaster – natural or manmade. The federal Homeland Security Department has hiked the warning status because of the London terrorist attacks, emphasizing possible threats on mass transit systems. The State Emergency Management Agency immediately had a conference call with the State Homeland Security Director when it got word of the status change from Washington to make sure state and local agencies are together in their planning. SEMA Director Ron Reynolds says his agency has a lot of assets to use if there is an incident. He says the key is to be flexible. Reynolds says the agency is not just sitting back, waiting for something to happen. He says the agency does a lot of planning and training and reviewing plans and improving training. He says people living in the heartland are not exempt from terror. But he also says a lot of people are working to keep Missourians safe.