About Us
Purpose of this page is to provide links and information dealing with our County, Region, State, and Federal Government. It also provides links to our supporting partners whom we network with daily and who our County during emergencies.
We strive to help the citizens of Newton County prepare for and cope with any type of emergency. We provide assistance and support to local communities, organizations, and regional agencies in the event of an emergency. This is accomplished through education and training of the public and our personnel. Our primary goal is to minimize the loss of life or injury and protect property in the event of a man-made or natural disaster. We hope to achieve this through planning, preparing, response, and recovery efforts. Disasters can strike at anytime and anywhere, we pride ourselves with being prepared for whatever may come.
Cities and Communities located within Newton County
Cliff Village, Dennis Acres, Diamond, Fairview, Granby, Grand Falls Plaza, Leawood, Loma Linda, Neosho, Newtonia, Redings Mill, Ritchey, Saginaw, Seneca, Shoal Creek Drive, Shoal Creek Estates, Stark City, Stella, and Wentworth
We are a StormReady County
Recognizes by United States Department of Commerce - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - National Weather Service Springfield Missouri for enhancing public safety by promoting the principles and guidelines of the StormReady program in severe weather safety and awareness plans. 2018-2021
Four Phases of Emergency Management
Phases of Emergency Management
Since World War II emergency management has focused primarily on preparedness. Often this involved preparing for enemy attack. Community preparedness for all disasters requires identifying resources and expertise in advance, and planning how these can be used in a disaster. However, preparedness is only one phase of emergency management. Current thinking defines four phases of emergency management: Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery.
Mitigation
Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. In order for mitigation to be effective we need to take action now—before the next disaster—to reduce human and financial consequences later (analyzing risk, reducing risk, and insuring against risk). It is important to know that disasters can happen at any time and any place and if we are not prepared, consequences can be fatal.
Preparedness
Preparedness is the process of turning awareness of the natural hazards and risks faced by a community into actions that improve its capability to respond to and recover from disasters. Preparedness plans need to address not just the immediate response, but also the long-term recovery and reconstruction. The recovery process is multifaceted and complex.
Response
Response includes actions taken to save lives and prevent further property damage in an emergency situation. Response is putting the preparedness plans into action. Response activities are left to the local jurisdictions within Newton County: County Ambulance District, County Sheriff Department, County Road Districts, County Fire Districts, Municipal Law Enforcement and Fire Departments. All agencies have Mutual Aid Agreements with other agencies and groups if additional resources needed
Recovery
Recovery is to return our community’s systems and activities to normal. Some recovery activities may be concurrent with response efforts. Long-term recovery includes restoring economic activity and rebuilding community facilities and housing. Long-term recovery (stabilizing all systems) can sometimes take years.
Phases of Emergency Management includes a continuous cycle of Prevention, Planning, Training, exercising, evaluating, and Supporting the emergency response organizations, by coordinating with Local, Regional and State Officials and Supporting Agencies for needed resources and services before, during, and after emergency situations.
Mitigation
Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. In order for mitigation to be effective we need to take action now—before the next disaster—to reduce human and financial consequences later (analyzing risk, reducing risk, and insuring against risk). It is important to know that disasters can happen at any time and any place and if we are not prepared, consequences can be fatal. (click sites for additional information)
-Shoal Creek Watershed -
Length of longest flow path 74.26 miles Drainage Area 457square miles
Maximum Flood Crippen 178000 ft^3/s
- This Missouri State Hazard Mitigation Plan update is an important planning component of state-level programs for management of disasters and their impacts. It considers years of mitigation experience and a variety of mitigation initiatives.
- Jasper/Newton hazard mitigation plan is designed as a tool for County citizens and stakeholders alike in controlling the hazardous effects of natural disaster to the loss of life and property damage.
Questions and Information about the National Flood Insurance Program
EPA Cleanup of the Newton County Mine Tailings site located in the northern half of Newton County, Missouri, and is part of the Tri-State Mining District
Preparedness
Preparedness is the process of turning awareness of the natural hazards and risks faced by a community into actions that improve its capability to respond to and recover from disasters. Preparedness plans need to address not just the immediate response, but also the long-term recovery and reconstruction. The recovery process is multifaceted and complex. (click sites for additional information)
Plan emphasizes the comprehensive approach to emergency management. Comprehensive Emergency Management (CEM) strives to integrate;
· All-hazards that pose a risk to Newton County;
· All phases of Emergency Management; and
· All levels of government and the private sector.
FEMA Approved Public Shelters in Newton County (click picture for list)
Develops and maintains an Emergency Response Plan for chemical emergencies, receives emergency release and chemical inventory information submitted by local facilities, Works with facilities to minimize chemical risks to the community, and serves as the contact point for that information. LEPC meetings are held quarterly on the third Tuesday of the months of January, April, July, & October. For LEPC information, contact Newton County Office of Emergency Management. (click picture for Bylaw.)
The Missouri Emergency Response Commission’s (MERC) mission is to protect public health and the environment by assisting communities with chemical incident prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.
(Seneca camera is currently down 7/2023)
Another location: Downstream Casino Resort from Springfield Mo. TV Station KORL 10. Looking SW into Oklahoma.
Residential, Public, and Community Safe Room Information
SMESO Vision:
“To provide focused networking, training, mentoring, and regional response coordination to all members, supported by goals and objectives
Four Corners Emergency Management group (4CEM) is made up of agency representatives from counties that share borders in the four states of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.
Relaunched in January 2023, the site provides a streamlined experience for our members and the public at large! We welcome you to use the resources available on our site!
Response
Response includes actions taken to save lives and prevent further property damage in an emergency situation. Response is putting you preparedness plans into action. Response activities are left to the local jurisdictions within Newton County. Emergency Services include County: Ambulance District, Sheriff Department, Central Dispatch, Road Districts, and Fire Districts. The Municipal Law Enforcement Agencies, Municipal Fire Departments, and their Mutual Aid Resources (click sites for additional
The Region D Disaster Plan (RDP) has been developed to provide a structure for public, private, and non-profit organizations to form a collaborative relationship. The RDP “Basic Plan” focuses exclusively on disaster response. The plan does, however, provide a framework for future coordinated efforts to address regional mitigation, preparedness, and recovery issues. (Plan is currently being updated and site will be updated when completed)
Recovery
Recovery is to return our community’s systems and activities to normal. Some recovery activities may be concurrent with response efforts. Long-term recovery includes restoring economic activity and rebuilding community facilities and housing. Long-term recovery (stabilizing all systems) can sometimes take years. Recovery from disaster is unique to each community depending on the amount and kind of damage caused by the disaster and the resources that the community has ready or can get.
To find help for your immediate needs, please enter an address to get a list of the closest FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs), starting with the closest three
Search online for contractors in your area accredited by the Better Business Bureau to perform home repair and home improvement work.
Missouri Disaster Recovery Framework (MDRF) incorporates proven recovery principles, aligns with the national coordination structure to better address gaps and needs, avoid duplication of efforts, and leverage resources during long-term recovery.
If you need help – for anything from daycare to rental assistance to counseling to vocational training – your local 2-1-1 is here.
Training
Training is essential to ensure that everyone knows what to do when there is an emergency or a disruption of business operations. Everyone needs training to become familiar with protective actions for life safety.
Self-paced courses designed for people who have emergency management responsibilities and the general public. All are offered free-of-charge to those who qualify for enrollment.
Missouri’s Region D has formed the state’s first regional Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Called MOCERT1
Gaining the skills necessary to prepare for and respond to disasters or emergencies through training
MOCERTA was established to help those who are setting up or working on maintaining Community Emergency Response Teams in their area find resources and gain access to other CERT Coordinators/Directors in Missouri.
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