Jefferson County - East-West Gateway Coordinating Council

A Regional Overview All-Hazard Mitigation Plan
County Capabilities (Organization, Staffing, Training)
The capabilities of emergency management, fire protection, law enforcement, and
emergency medical services are detailed at the end of Section I.
The EOC is located in the Jefferson County Courthouse in Hillsboro. The facility is well
equipped for sustained operations over an extended period of time. A primary alternate
EOC is located at the 911 Center in Hillsboro. Other alternate sights are identified. The
EOC has survivable communications for operating forces, the Emergency Alert System,
commercial and public broadcast stations, the State Emergency Management Agency,
cities within the county, and neighboring jurisdictions. Communication and warning
systems are tested on a regular basis. Five municipalities responding to the questionnaire
have sirens, tested on a monthly basis. A substantial amount of the county’s
unincorporated area is not within hearing range of sirens.
Countywide, substantial emergency response equipment is available to respond to events.
Within the county, there are a total of nineteen fire protection districts or fire departments
and seven ambulance districts. In addition to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department,
there are ten municipal police departments. Substantial vehicle and heavy equipment is
available through municipal and county public works departments. American Red Cross
has a service center in the county. One hospital is located in the county, and most St.
Louis metropolitan area medical facilities are located within a one-hour drive from any
location in Jefferson County.
The county has conducted at least one full-scale EOP exercise within the last four years
including testing and evaluating alert notification, coordination and control, and
communications.
Responsibilities and Authorities
Jefferson County government and their municipal governments responding to the
questionnaire indicated the following:
• County does not have legal basis for authority to order an evacuation.
Municipalities: Six have legal basis.
• County has legal basis for redirecting funds for emergency use.
Municipalities: Five have legal basis; one answered not applicable.
• County does not have legal basis for ordering a curfew.
Municipalities: Five have legal basis.
• County does not have legal basis for commandeering facilities, equipment,
and materials.
Municipalities: Five have legal basis; one does not.
• County does not have legal basis to authorize lines of succession to carry out
emergency activities.
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