City of Joplin officials recognize the importance of weather radios as a tool to help keep families informed of approaching storms. Combined with warning sirens that are designed to alert residents outdoors of severe weather, these radios will help alert residents indoors to take shelter.
The city recently distributed nearly 4,000 weather radios to Joplin citizens, but during the effort it became apparent that although the radios provided by the Tornado First Response Fund were restricted to Joplin citizens, our fellow survivors of the May 22 tornado in Duquesne were facing these same needs. City Manager Mark Rohr announced today that by working with members of the Unity for Joplin fund (managed by the United Way of Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas) and the City of Duquesne, radios for Duquesne residents could be available soon.
“We realized that due to the structure of the First Response Fund bylaws, which specifically state donated funds are to assist citizens of Joplin, we needed to find another funding source to help our friends in Duquesne,” said Rohr.
Joplin and Duquesne officials are working to complete the grant funding application. It will be presented to the United Way’s Unity for Joplin board for their final decision as soon the application is finished. If approved, these funds, along with Duquesne contributions, would allow purchasing radios for the safety of Duquesne residents.
Residents are also encouraged to visit www.ready.gov to learn other ways to be prepared for all types of severe weather.
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