April 29, 2025 is a day many in our community won’t forget.

In this special lookback episode, we sit down with partners from City Utilities and members of our Emergency Operations Center team to reflect on the severe weather that impacted our area and the coordinated response that followed.

From restoring essential services to managing information and resources in real time, this episode takes listeners behind the scenes to hear how agencies worked together during one of the most significant weather events our community has faced in recent years.

Through firsthand experiences and thoughtful reflection, we explore the challenges, teamwork, and lessons learned that continue to shape how we prepare for future emergencies.

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

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Website: Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management

Severe weather doesn’t follow a schedule...are you ready when it hits?

In this episode, we’re joined by Angelica, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, to talk through the purpose of Severe Weather Awareness Week and what it means for you.

Whether you’re a seasoned severe weather fanatic or just need a refresher, this conversation is all about turning awareness into action. We break down common misconceptions about weather in the Ozarks, share how the National Weather Service stays on top of busy storm seasons, and highlight one of the most important parts of any storm safety plan.

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

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Website: Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management

Airports can feel overwhelming. Security lines, turbulence, delays, and plenty of stress about what’s really happening behind the scenes.

In this episode, we sit down with Springfield-Branson National Airport personnel to talk about airport operations, community coordination, and some of the most common fears people have about flying.

We explore how airports plan for emergencies, work with public safety partners, and prioritize passenger safety every day. We also break down common misconceptions about flying and share insight into why aviation remains one of the safest ways to travel.

Whether you’re a nervous flyer or just curious how it all works, this conversation offers clarity, context, and a little peace of mind before your next trip.

Don’t forget to click the subscribe button. Also, you can 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
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gcoem/mycompany/

Website: Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management

Season 5 kicks off with a look at one of the most critical (and often unseen) parts of emergency management: logistics.

In this episode, we’re joined by our logistics specialist Kenny Norris to break down what it really takes to move resources, coordinate support, and keep operations running during disasters. This conversation highlights why effective logistics can make or break a response, and why the work behind the scenes matters just as much as what the public sees.

Don’t forget to click the subscribe button. Also, you can 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

As we close out Season 4, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the stories, lessons, and voices that shaped this chapter of the podcast. From K9 units and search-and-rescue teams to disaster mental health professionals and 911 dispatchers, this season highlighted the many roles that come together before, during, and after emergencies.

Thank you for joining us throughout Season 4 and for supporting the people and partnerships that make emergency management possible. The next season starter will be out soon!

Don’t forget to click the subscribe button. Also, you can 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
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GreeneCountyOEM
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gcoem/mycompany/

Website: Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management

When the Joplin tornado tore through southwest Missouri, 911 dispatchers became a critical lifeline in the middle of chaos.

In this episode, April Ford shares her firsthand experience working behind the headset during one of the deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history. From managing her team in Jasper County with overwhelming call volumes to carrying the emotional weight of voices in crisis, April offers an inside look at the unseen role dispatchers play during disasters. Learn about her experience and recovery process in the second part of our mental health series.

Stop the Threat, Stop the Stigma: https://stopthethreatstopthestigma.org/

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation: https://stopthethreatstopthestigma.org/

National Association of EMS Physicians: https://naemsp.org/2023-2-1-ems-burnout-and-mental-health/

Don’t forget to click the subscribe button. Also, you can 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

Disasters don’t end when the immediate danger passes.

In this episode, we explore how Missouri plans for and delivers mental health support in the aftermath of crises. We’re joined by Beckie Gierer with the Office of Disaster Services to discuss disaster mental health preparedness, Psychological First Aid training, and the statewide Crisis Counseling Program, Show-Me Hope. Learn how these services help survivors, first responders, and communities understand their reactions, reduce stress, and begin the long process of recovery, because healing after a disaster is just as important as response.

Missouri Office of Disaster Services: https://dmh.mo.gov/disaster-services

ShowMe Hope: https://www.moshowmehope.org/

Don’t forget to click the subscribe button. Also, you can 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

Not all K9 heroes chase suspects, some bring comfort when it’s needed most.

In the final installment of our Dogs in Emergency Management series, we explore the quieter, but equally vital, side of K9 work: emotional support and comfort. Pet Therapy of the Ozarks and the Springfield Police Department open up about their comfort K9 programs and how these dogs bring calm to chaos, support first responders after traumatic calls, and provide connection to community members in moments of stress. From hospital visits to station walk-throughs, discover how these compassionate canines help heal the people who help us.

Pet Therapy of the Ozarks: https://www.pettherapyozarks.org/

Don’t forget to click the subscribe button. Also, you can 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