Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

ST. JAMES— The Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee (HSOC) awarded five grants to address needs with local law enforcement and emergency responders. Grants awarded totaled $65,511.42. 

Projects funded include: 

• $25,335 to Waynesville Police Department for MOSWIN radios and microphones.
• $20,676.42 to Rolla Fire and Rescue for City of Rolla “All Hazard” Response Team, 
• $6,720 to Rolla Fire and Rescue for command post and communications, 
• $4,780 to Rolla Fire and Rescue for search and rescue, and
• $8,000 to MRPC for Region I planning and training. 

A request from the Crocker Police Department was not funded, based on Region I’s policy of not purchasing portable radios. 

MRPC will also continue to manage the day-to-day operations of the committee and coordinate meetings, serve as fiscal agent, manage the grant program, procure for equipment granted to the local agencies, conduct and update the annual inventory of equipment and update the THIRA planning document. Homeland Security provides $28,448 for those activities. 

In 2006, in an effort to maximize the return on investments of future homeland security grants in Missouri, then Gov. Matt Blunt authorized the State Homeland Security Advisory Council and the State Emergency Management Agency to organize emergency response agencies, local governments, volunteer groups and utilities through regional planning commissions and empower them to provide input into how homeland security dollars will be spent. Based on Highway Patrol Troop Area geographic boundaries, nine Regional Homeland Security Oversight Committees were created across the state to assist with this process. As one body, these regional committees make recommendations to the Homeland Security Advisory Council for program and equipment priorities.

Fire Chief Ron Smith of City of Rolla Fire and Rescue serves as chair of the Region I HSOC. Salem District Hospital Emergency Medical Services Director Tabitha Stanfast serves as vice chair. 

Three counties in the Meramec Region – Gasconade, Osage and Washington – are served through other regions. Gasconade and Osage counties are a part of Region F, which is being coordinated by the Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission at Ashland while Washington is part of the Region C, which is coordinated by the Boonslick Regional Planning Commission at Warrenton. 

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Gasconade County Presiding Commissioner Larry Miskel serves as chairman of the board. A professional staff of 25 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.orgor on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.

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