The All-Star Game has brought about 60 thousand people to Kansas City this week, and that has brought together an all-star team of regional emergency planners to prepare for it.
Kansas City communications officer Dennis Gagnon says the city’s emergency operations center is up-and-running with agencies like police, fire and public works from several Kansas City region communities, as well as state and federal agencies.
He says high temperatures are still a seasonal concern, but they’re no longer considered the threat they have been recently.
“Heat was a big driver, but the temperature broke through here, and just keeping our fingers crossed … we’re going to have a delightful set of conditions for Tuesday.” Dealing with the heat is still a priority. “It will still be typical July 90-degree weather but it won’t be the 106 like we saw on Saturday.”
The greater focus now is more on logistics. “The big concern at this point is making sure that people are able to get in-and-around town with good traffic flow, that should something occur that we are able to quickly respond and to make the situation as good as you possibly can for those who live here as well as those who are visiting.”
He hopes people will be alert at the Game and related events around town. “It’s always a value when the public is attentive and if they see something that they’re concerned about, that they notify the authorities so that any incident can be resolved in a fast and timely fashion.”
Gagnon says people making good decisions will also make authorities’ jobs easier. “We want to see people be responsible … not to have too much alcohol, to be patient in lines and to understand that when you bring together a crowd of 60 thousand or so people … that sometimes there will be a little bit longer wait … so people really need to just exhibit that good midwestern hospitality and neighborliness.”
Missourinet sports is in Kansas City covering the All-Star Game.