[Press Release] : "Mid-Missouri Incident Management Team Deployed to Springfield, MO

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Battalion Chief Steven Sapp
573-499-7035 - Duty PIO Pager
573-874-7557 – Office

Division Chief Gale Bloomencamp
573-447-5000 – office
573-219-0677 - mobile

Mid-Missouri Incident Management Team Deployed to Springfield, MO

COLUMBIA, MO (January 14, 2007) - Members of the Mid-Missouri Incident Management Team were deployed to Springfield, MO on Sunday, January 14, 2007 around 1:00 P.M. to assist with winter storm related issues. Springfield has seen several rounds of heavy freezing rain and reports a large number of tree’s down across roads and on power lines. A number of areas in and around Springfield are also with out power.

Members of the Columbia Fire Department, Boone County Fire Protection District, and the Jefferson City Fire Department sent representatives.

Division Chief’s Dean Martin and Terry Cassil were deployed from the Columbia Fire Department, Assistant Chief Scott Olsen and Capt. Kurt Doolady were deployed from the Boone County Fire Protection District, and there were three representatives from the Jefferson City Fire Department also deployed.

The Incident Management Team consists of fire personnel with advanced training in the field of incident management. Incident managers are critical links to assign resources and ensure adequate resources are available to handle emergency calls. During the prolonged event in Springfield, MO., emergency managers and incident commanders have been working long hours with little rest. These seven fire personnel from the Mid-Missouri Incident Management Team will integrate with personnel from Springfield to provide rest and relief for weary incident commanders. Springfield personnel will retain full control of local incident management and local team members will fill in positions as needed.

The team deployed after Springfield activated a State Wide Mutual Aid request through the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office. The team left from Jefferson City and is expected to arrive in Springfield, weather permitting, sometime in the early evening. The team expects to be deployed between 48-72 hours.

Team members will relay reports back on their activities and involvement as time permits and future updates on their activities and return date will be posted when available.

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