works with numerous first responders from the community to ensure the safety, health, and continuity of keeping the community functioning. In addition to routine law enforcement, officers may be called on to assist with search and rescue, body recovery, and the distribution of essential supplies to survivors. Leaders of first responder organizations face unique challenges including high operational tempo, long hours, and diminished resources (Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, 2013, p. 1). There are numerous responsibilities that law enforcement agencies have when responding to a natural disaster. Such responsibilities include search and rescue efforts, crime and loitering prevention, and communicating with the community in an effective and efficient manner. The EF-5 tornado that swept through the community of Joplin caused severe damage to several facilities, including St. John’s Regional Medical Center. In addition to the structural damage, the Empire District Electric Company of Joplin reported that 130 transmission poles had been lost, leaving approximately 18,000 customer without power. extreme destruction “The forced thousands of residents to find lodging with family or friends” (FEMA, 2011, p. 9). The structural and electrical damage hindered the work of local enforcement agencies. In addition to the hospital’s structural damage, limiting the use of ambulatory services, two of the fire departments in Joplin were severely damage. This damage to the fire department also hindered the local law enforcement’s ability to effectively perform necessary duties. Strengths Law enforcement agencies in and around the Joplin community were able to use instrumental tools to effectively respond to the crisis. These tools and initiatives were within the Missouri Homeland Security Region D counties and jurisdictions. According to FEMA (2011), Region D Regional Homeland Security Oversight Committee provided grants for the “The establishment and maintenance of regional response teams” (p. 12). Such grants, for example,
works with numerous first responders from the community to ensure the safety, health, and continuity of keeping the community functioning. In addition to routine law enforcement, officers may be called on to assist with search and rescue, body recovery, and the distribution of essential supplies to survivors. Leaders of first responder organizations face unique challenges including high operational tempo, long hours, and diminished resources (Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, 2013, p. 1). There are numerous responsibilities that law enforcement agencies have when responding to a natural disaster. Such responsibilities include search and rescue efforts, crime and loitering prevention, and communicating with the community in an effective and efficient manner. The EF-5 tornado that swept through the community of Joplin caused severe damage to several facilities, including St. John’s Regional Medical Center. In addition to the structural damage, the Empire District Electric Company of Joplin reported that 130 transmission poles had been lost, leaving approximately 18,000 customer without power. “The extreme destruction forced thousands of residents to find lodging with family or friends” (FEMA, 2011, p. 9). The structural and electrical damage hindered the work of local enforcement agencies. In addition to the hospital’s structural damage, limiting the use of ambulatory services, two of the fire departments in Joplin were severely damage. This damage to the fire department also hindered the local law enforcement’s ability to effectively perform necessary duties. Strengths Law enforcement agencies in and around the Joplin community were able to use instrumental tools to effectively respond to the crisis. These tools and initiatives were within the Missouri Homeland Security Region D counties and jurisdictions. According to FEMA (2011), “The Region D Regional Homeland Security Oversight Committee provided grants for the establishment and maintenance of regional response teams” (p. 12). Such grants, for example,