Joplin Tornado Response
Session Archive
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Description
On the evening of May 22, 2011, a ½ mile-wide tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri (pop. 50,000) destroying 30% of the city in ten minutes. It traveled at an unusually slow rate of 10 miles per hour and was on the ground for 32 minutes. The category EF-5 tornado, indicating winds stronger than 200 mph, is listed as one of the deadliest on record and resulted in over 1,000 injuries and 161 fatalities. The storm severely damaged one of two regional medical centers, Saint John’s Hospital, necessitating the evacuation of more than 100 patients. Cell towers, lumber yards, and grocery stores-vital response and recovery tools-were also destroyed. Despite the destruction, community members responded with characteristic perseverance and resiliency.
In the January Hot Topics session, Joplin Police Chief, Lane Roberts, recounts the events of the storm from the early warning signals to the community’s recovery. Roberts also discusses the details and decisions that made this a successful coordinated response between state and local emergency management staff. At the end of the session, participants will be able to recognize the characteristics of a tornadic event and compare the nature and success of this response to other disasters.
Registration Information
Registration for live events is coordinated by individuals representing our partner organizations in the Northwest. See our registration information to find your nearest contact.
If you have questions about registering for Hot Topics, or do not receive information for joining the session by the afternoon of Monday, January 9, please contact Sarah Paliulis.
Presenter
Lane Roberts, MS, has been a police officer since 1971. Chief Roberts has served in his current role as Chief of Police for Joplin, MO since 2007. Prior to that, he was the Chief of Police in Redmond, OR for seven years. Chief Roberts has also served as Undersheriff of Yakima County, WA, Chief of Police of Union Gap, WA, and Chief of Police of Twisp, WA. He received his Master of Science degree from San Francisco Technical University and is a graduate of the Northwest Executive Command College. Chief Roberts currently serves as the Regional Vice President of the Region 3, Missouri Police Chiefs Association and was appointed by Governor Jeremiah Nixon to the Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission.
Learner Objectives
By the end of this session participants will be able to:
- Recognize the unique nature of a tornadic event
- Compare the nature and success of the response to other disasters
- Identify and evaluate the decisions that distinguish this disaster response
Competencies
Council on Linkages, Core competencies for Public Health Professionals
2. Policy Development/Program Planning Skills
2B3. Determines the feasibility and expected outcomes of policy options
3. Communication Skills
3B4. Uses a variety of approaches to disseminate public health information
5. Community Dimensions of Practice Skills
5C7. Integrates the role of governmental and non-governmental organizations in the delivery of community health services
7. Financial Planning and Management
7C3. Manages partnerships with agencies within the federal, state, and local levels of government that have authority over public health situations or with specific issues, such as emergency events
8. Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills
8B3. Participates with stakeholders in identifying key values and a shared vision as guiding principles for community action
CDC, Public Health Preparedness and Response Core Competency Model
1.. Model Leadership
1.1 Solve problems under emergency conditions
1.3 Facilitate collaboration with internal and external response partners
1.6 Act within the scope of one's legal authority
2. Communicate and Manage Information
2.1 Manage information related to an emergency
3. Plan for and Improve Practice
3.2 Contribute expertise to the development of emergency plans
CDC, Public Health Preparedness Capabilities
Capability 1: Community Preparedness
Function 1: Determine risks to the health of the jurisdiction
Function 2: Build community partnerships to support health preparedness
Capability 3: Emergency Operations Coordination
Function 1: Conduct preliminary assessment to determine need for public activation
Function 2: Activate public health emergency operations
Function 3: Develop incident response strategy
Target Audience
This session would be appropriate for the following audiences:
- Local and state public health practitioners
- Public health nurses
- Local and state emergency management staff
- Volunteer organizations such as American Red Cross
- First responders
