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Hometown Ready Emergency Management — Government
Hometown Ready Emergency Management

The HometownREADY Emergency Management podcast explores all things related to emergency management. Produced by the Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management, the show offers the public an inside look at the dynamic world of preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. Episodes cover a wide range of topics, from severe weather and disaster communications to community preparedness and public safety careers. We also highlight ways for residents to get involved and play a role in building resilience. Tune in and join us as we work together to make every community a little more HometownREADY!

Copyright: © 2025 Hometown Ready Emergency Management

Latest Episodes:

S2, E1: Exercise Collaboration Jun 01, 2023

Show notes

This month, 3 subject matter experts from the community met with our host to discuss Operation Chem Loco, a hazardous materials table-top exercise recently conducted by OEM. Ralph Siccama with Greene County LEPC, Larry Woods as the Director of Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management, and Christopher Roush EMS & Special Operations with Springfield Fire Department.
With railway hazmat exercises in the news recently, the timing of this tabletop was highly relevant to current events, though the planning to put this together began more than 6 months prior. In this episode, the group discusses exercises, planning, collaboration in the local community, and the exercises’ relationship to community resources. Whether the focus is on training, exercising, planning, or responding to an emergency, collaboration is ultimately what the group recognizes as the center point of our responsibility to our communities.

Don’t forget to click the subscribe button. Stay in touch with us via social media to remain HometownREADY and, as always, BE AWARE and TAKE CARE!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldGreeneOEM
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/gcoem
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gc_oem/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GreeneCountyOEM
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gcoem/mycompany/

Website: Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management

S1, E12: One-Stop-Shop May 07, 2023

Show notes

On April 18, 2023 Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management hosted a functional exercise at Praise Assembly in north Springfield. An unusual disaster exercise with no visual damage or responders, the focus of this exercise was purely on recovery efforts. Many from throughout the state had never experienced an exercise like this and OEM staff had at least no recollection of such an exercise in the past 10 years. The exercise itself brought together 20 organizations throughout the state with the majority coming from Region D. This recovery exercise showing the capabilities of a MARC, Multi-Agency Resource Center, focused on bringing as many of the essential functions of an individual’s life together as possible in one place to help a community recover from disaster.

Don’t forget to click the subscribe button. Stay in touch with us via social media to remain HometownREADY and, as always, BE AWARE and TAKE CARE!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldGreeneOEM
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/gcoem
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gc_oem/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GreeneCountyOEM
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gcoem/mycompany/

Website: Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management

S1, E11: It's Planning Time Apr 03, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, the Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management staff discuss the coming season of Special Events. The current OEM staff brings to the table many different walks of life, viewpoints, and education. Most of the group has however participated in the planning process for special events, as well as the working of said events. The OEM crew discusses an entry level understanding of tools and processes needed to put together a Special Event. The crew also shares their experience and lessons learned from working a command post at the events.

Don’t forget to click the subscribe button. Stay in touch with us via social media to remain HometownREADY and, as always, BE AWARE and TAKE CARE!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldGreeneOEM
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/gcoem
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gc_oem/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GreeneCountyOEM
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gcoem/mycompany/

Website: Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management

S1, E10: Queen City Burning Mar 01, 2023

Show notes

In this episode we talk with Keely Leeper and Brody Harrison from Mercy Springfield Burn Unit. The focus of the conversation is the burn unit itself and management of moderate to serious burns sustained by the community. The Level 1 Burn Center in Springfield at Mercy is the only burn center in at minimum at 150 miles radius. This brings many other communities into Springfield for burn related emergencies. The Mercy burn center nurses go into discussion of what is treated at this burn center, how common burns are, and when someone should be seen at the burn center. If you wish to have more information on the burn center you can contact Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management or the Mercy Burn Center through brody.harrison@mercy.net.

Don’t forget to click the subscribe button. Stay in touch with us via social media to remain HometownREADY and, as always, BE AWARE and TAKE CARE!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldGreeneOEM
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/gcoem
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gc_oem/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GreeneCountyOEM
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gcoem/mycompany/

Website: Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management

S1, E9: Winter is Ruff Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

In this episode we talk about winter weather safety for pets with Michele Rehkop from Rescue One, a foster-based animal rescue in Springfield, MO. Focusing mainly on family cats and dogs, Michele gives some insight into the organization and some pro tips to understand what winter may be like for your best friend. From shoes for your pet, to how to adopt, we dive into a variety of topics that often elude the public and can send pets to the vet clinic. Your furry friend may not be able to talk, so let Rescue One talk for them about essential needs during the winter months. If you find this organization interesting and want to know more, you can visit https://rescueonespringfield.com/ to find a way you can help too!

Don’t forget to click the subscribe button. Stay in touch with us via social media to remain HometownREADY and, as always, BE AWARE and TAKE CARE!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldGreeneOEM
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/gcoem
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gc_oem/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GreeneCountyOEM
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gcoem/mycompany/

Website: Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management

S1, E8: Calling all Volunteers Jan 01, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss trends in the world of volunteering with our partners Debi Meeds from American Red Cross and Michelle Garand from Community Partnership of the Ozarks. Over the past 20 years, several studies have been completed on volunteering in our society. In the preparedness and disaster management community, volunteerism accounts for a significant amount of the work that is accomplished. Referencing trends and publications on the subject, we look at the needs of our local community and our opinions on what has and will continue to change in the world of volunteering. From the lack of hours available in people’s day-to-day lives, to the increased need for volunteers, and, as always, the infamous COVID-19 impacts, we work through the changes in our society that could play a role in what we have experienced as volunteer managers. As we head into a new year of resolutions and changes for students, we also take this opportunity to discuss options to volunteer locally.

Tune in to listen and contact oeminfo@greenecountymo.gov for more information on the cast or volunteering!

Don’t forget to click the subscribe button. Stay in touch with us via social media to remain HometownREADY and, as always, BE AWARE and TAKE CARE!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldGreeneOEM
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/gcoem
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gc_oem/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GreeneCountyOEM
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gcoem/mycompany/

Website: Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management

S1, E7: Cold as Ice in the Midwest Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, we speak with Larry Woods & Darren White from Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management, as well as Steve Runnels & Kyle Perez from The National Weather Service of Springfield. Over 75 years of experience and expertise in the field between the 4 individuals from first response, emergency management, and weather prediction meteorology. Larry and Steve start us off with a discussion of one of the most memorable storms to the area, the 2007 Ice Storm. The discussion notes the severity of the storm, vulnerabilities of the community, and the lessons learned. After wrapping up that discussion, Darren and Kyle speak a little about winter weather preparedness itself. The target of the information goes beyond that of the first responder or emergency management personnel, diving deeper to give community members a breakdown of some of the tools the weather service provides. For more information follow our social media platforms, as well as The National Weather Service for up-to-date information!

Don’t forget to click the subscribe button. Stay in touch with us via social media to remain HometownREADY and, as always, BE AWARE and TAKE CARE!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldGreeneOEM
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/gcoem
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gc_oem/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GreeneCountyOEM
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gcoem/mycompany/

Website: Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management

S1, E6: Civil Defense to Emergency Management Nov 01, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, we speak with our OEM Director, Larry Woods, and our Deputy Director, Darren White, about emergency management’s history in civil defense. In its most basic form, civil defense is the organization and training of civilians to be prepared for attacks in wartime. Civil defense efforts in the 20th Century began during World War I and World War II and reached an apex during the Cold War. After a series of natural and man-made disasters in the 1960s and 1970s, civil defense funding and preparation efforts began to take on the all-hazards disaster approach we use today. Eventually, this shift to all-hazards “emergency management” gave birth to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local emergency management offices like OEM. Tune in and learn about this rich and fascinating piece of history!
FEMA Nuclear Explosion Guidance: https://www.ready.gov/nuclear-explosion

Don’t forget to click the subscribe button. Stay in touch with us via social media to remain HometownREADY and, as always, BE AWARE and TAKE CARE!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldGreeneOEM
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/gcoem
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gc_oem/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GreeneCountyOEM
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gcoem/mycompany/

Website: Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management

S1, E5: Talking Training Oct 01, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, we speak with our OEM Training and Exercise Specialist, Aubrey Johnson. Aubrey joined OEM in early 2022 and he brings years of experience as a firefighter, a flight paramedic, and as a trainer for a variety of public safety subjects. We discuss how OEM plans and conducts emergency management training and exercises, and how they fit into the larger picture of community preparedness. Aubrey also serves as the OEM lead for our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). We discuss CERT’s valuable contributions to community disaster preparedness and an upcoming CERT training opportunity that will be held at the OEM office in early October. If you’re interested in CERT or the student volunteer opportunity we mentioned, you can email the individuals below to learn more!
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Point of contact: Aubrey Johnson, Aubrey.johnson@greenecountymo.gov
OEM Student Volunteer Program
Point of contact: Katie Kovach, KKovach@greenecountymo.gov

Don’t forget to click the subscribe button. Stay in touch with us via social media to remain HometownREADY and, as always, BE AWARE and TAKE CARE!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldGreeneOEM
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/gcoem
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gc_oem/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GreeneCountyOEM
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gcoem/mycompany/

Website: Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management

S1, E4: Welcome to the Team Sep 01, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, we speak with our newest OEM planner, Katie Kovach. She came to our team from the Assemblies of God, where she conducted emergency planning work across the church’s international organization. Katie took a winding road to get to Springfield and OEM. She graduated university in Europe, spoke in front of European Parliament, and participated in missionary work to help victims and survivors of human trafficking. Tune in and hear her interesting story!

Don’t forget to click the subscribe button. Stay in touch with us via social media to remain HometownREADY and, as always, BE AWARE and TAKE CARE!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldGreeneOEM
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/gcoem
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gc_oem/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GreeneCountyOEM
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gcoem/mycompany/

Website: Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management

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