Chouteau County has received a national 'Model Community' award from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for its efforts at linking emergency services and public health. Angel Johnson, Chouteau County Public Health Nurse and Linda Williams, MSU Extension Agent and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator represented the county at an Aug 13 reception in Atlanta, Georgia.
Chouteau County is the only rural community in the nation to ever receive this award.
"Every resident of the county can be proud of the role they have played in helping to achieve this 'Model Community' award," Williams said. "The strength of the county’s emergency system is built upon public involvement. Due to a high level of teamwork, volunteer commitment and cooperation, Chouteau County has been recognized at the national level for setting a standard for emergency preparedness."
The plaque reads, “For establishing and implementing effective strategies that enhance collaboration and strengthen the relationship between public health and emergency care, thereby serving as an example to other communities to promote the improvement of daily operations and disaster preparedness nationwide.”
There were four other communities recognized at this ceremony: San Diego; Palm Beach; Pinellas County, Fla.; and a Wisconsin regional system. Past award recipients have been from Boston, Las Vegas, New York, and Louisville, Kent. The award selection committee is made up of many national emergency organizations, including National Association of EMT’s, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association and Department of Health & Human Services.
"Although this is an incredible accomplishment," said Williams, "my deepest appreciation is for all the emergency personnel that have dedicated countless hours - not for an award, but in order to provide for the welfare and safety of the public in their times of need."
Chouteau County received the award based upon their demonstration of a strong and integrated approach to emergency preparedness. Award criteria included: a history of collaboration; interoperable communications system; sound emergency response operational policies that have been validated and demonstrated through exercises and actual events.
The county received special recognition for their disaster exercises. Some of those events included the planning and simulated disaster exercise for the Lewis & Clark Bi-centennial. The day-long exercise held in Loma involved 167 people representing all of the emergency response entities: fire, ambulance, QRU, sheriff’s deputies, search & rescue, Bureau of Land Management, Fish Wildlife & Parks, plus neighboring counties. During the actual Lewis & Clark Bi-centennial, the planning paid off as emergency personnel were tasked with responding to a flash flood in Highwood, in addition to covering the bi-centennial commemoration activities.
"The Chouteau County EMS and Local Emergency Planning Committee is celebrating their 30 year anniversary this summer, and our long history of collaboration made quite an impression on the awards committee" said Williams. "Throughout those years, council members have concentrated on starting with a strong foundation and worked at building the rest of the program up from that base. That foundation includes all the members of the community that have taken CPR, First Aid courses and EMT classes. Many members of the public have then volunteered for Quick Response Units, ambulance services, fire departments, search and rescue, and the faith-based networks."
The most recent exercises held in the county have again highlighted the close cooperation between emergency responders, the hospitals and public health. Two week-long exercises focused on the Big Sandy Hospital and Missouri River Medical Center. The public played a large role with volunteers and faith-based network participation in the simulated opening of alternative care centers and quarantine activities. Both of those exercises culminated with simulated mass casualty events necessitating complete evacuation of the Big Sandy Activities Men’s Home and the Sunrise Bluff Estates.
In spite of the unique challenges faced by a rural community with a shortage of funds and resources, Chouteau County has been able to demonstrate the strength of teamwork, volunteerism and community involvement.
"We are very proud to receive this award and the national recognition," Williams said. "The challenge now will be to keep our emergency services foundation strong, to bring new people into the system and to continue to create awareness of the importance of family and individual emergency preparedness planning."
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