The state has a new system to assess damage in a catastrophe and to quickly mobilize a response.

The Statewide Disaster Responder Notification System can notify as many as 15-hundred people and agencies within minutes.to get a handle on what has happened, how bad the damage is, and what the stricken area needs.

The State Emergency Management agency has run two successful tests in the last month. Spokesman Susie Stonner says the tests show how the system would have been valuable if it had been available for some recent events such as the February storm in southeast Missouri or with the January tornado.

The tests showed the system was able to contact 13-hundred first responders within five minutes of being triggered. Stonner says the system is flexible enough that it can be activated on a local, regional, or statewide basis–for a local tornado, or widespread flooding, or a major earthquake.

 

Download Bob Priddy’s story (:58 mp3)