City recognizes FEMA official for help given during Joplin Tornado recovery

(From the City of Joplin)

During a tour of the newly opened Fire Station #4, Mayor Colbert-Kean presented a Proclamation to Richard Serino, Deputy Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recognizing his work for the community’s recovery following the 2011 disaster.
Serino arrived in Joplin on the morning of May 23, 2011, just hours following the tornado. During his deployment in Joplin, he not only led FEMA operations, but also provided his expertise and counsel to City officials and community leaders as they began the immediate work to help our citizens.

“The City of Joplin truly appreciates Rich’s commitment and work immediately following the disaster that expedited the federal response to our area,” said Mayor Kean. “And he has continued to support us to ensure that the resources from the federal level matched the needs identified.”

In addition to this work, Serino hosted a nationwide Think Tank session from the Missouri Southern State University campus in to engage emergency managers across the country in discussions about disaster recovery and in particular, Joplin’s progress. This April 2012 event brought national attention and visibility to Joplin, allowing others to learn about the combined efforts of City officials, community leaders and citizens that were crucial in keeping the recovery process moving forward.

Serino has announced his retirement and will leave his post of FEMA Deputy Administrator on January 23, 2014, making this his last official visit to our community.

“Again, we thank Rich for all of his work and wish him well in future endeavors,” said Kean.

The City Proclamation to Richard Serino is printed below.

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS Richard Serino, Deputy Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), traveled to Joplin within hours of the May 22, 2011 tornado that devastated our city, to help ensure that needed federal resources were quickly deployed to help the citizens of Joplin and Duquesne and Jasper and Newton counties; and

WHEREAS Mr. Serino continued to support and assist the City of Joplin throughout the crucial tornado response and recovery periods to make sure federal support was on target; and

WHEREAS In April 2012, Mr. Serino brought national attention and visibility to Joplin by hosting a nationwide Think Tank session from the Missouri Southern State University campus to engage emergency managers across the country in discussions about disaster recovery and in particular, Joplin’s progress; and

WHEREAS Mr. Serino continued to visit and support Joplin during the last two-and- half years to share in our recovery milestones and achievements; and

WHEREAS Today, January 17, 2014 marks Mr. Serino’s last trip to Joplin as FEMA Deputy Administrator prior to his retirement January 23, 2014, and we are honored that he chose this visit as one of his last official acts before returning home to Boston.

THEREFORE, I, Melodee Colbert-Kean, Mayor of the City of Joplin, and on behalf of the Joplin City Council, do hereby proclaim honor and appreciation to

RICHARD SERINO

for his outstanding leadership and dedication in his role to build, sustain, and improve FEMA’s capacity to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards; and further, do hereby encourage all citizens in our community to join in recognizing and honoring Mr. Serino for his distinguished service and contributions to our community.

Melodee Colbert-Kean, Mayor

Open houses scheduled for new Joplin fire stations

(From the City of Joplin)

Joplin Mayor Melodee Colbert-Kean, City officials, and the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors invite the public to join them in a Ribbon Cutting and Open House for the two new fire stations in Joplin. Stations #2 and #4 were recently completed after they were destroyed in the 2011 tornado.

A Ribbon Cutting for Station #2, 2825 West Junge Boulevard (northeast corner of 13th & Schifferdecker), is set for 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 23, with an open house and tours following until 5 p.m. A Ribbon Cutting for Station #4, 3402 Hearnes Boulevard, will be held later that day at 1:30 p.m. and their open house and tour opportunities will run until 7 p.m.

Both stations were razed as a result of the damage sustained in the 2011 disaster and temporary facilities were erected in their place until construction of the replacement stations was completed. After an extensive review of the Fire Department’s coverage area and growth of the City, the Joplin City Council approved two new locations to rebuild these stations. These new locations afford the opportunity for the department to provide better coverage, and help to meet the four-minute response time goals for the entire city. The Joplin Fire Department currently provides emergency services to the community’s 45 square miles from the six fire stations.