Missouri Seismic Safety Commission - Strategy 3.7

STRATEGY :

Expand and promote training in disaster mortuary and identify potential temporary mortuary sites in major population centers.

ACTION:

Continue recruitment and training of the Missouri Funeral Directors Disaster Response Team (MFDADRT) and mortuary personnel to be trained as Disaster Mortuary Coordinators for Mortuary Services. Support pre-disaster identification of temporary mortuary sites which can be accessed immediately in major population centers and/or in each of MFDA districts.

RESULT:

Trained personnel will be available to establish the means and methods for the most reasonable and proper care and handling of the dead in multi-death, earthquake disaster situations, and in the event of mass casualties. Potential use areas such as mortuaries, cemeteries and National Guard Armories are pre- identified in major population centers to be used as temporary morgue sites.



Background

Appendix 2 to Annex T of the State of Missouri Emergency Operations Plan outlines the Special Mortuary Service SOP, New Madrid Earthquake, and Appendix 3 relates to Temporary Morgue Sites SOP. The Missouri Funeral Directors Association (MFDA) has an Emergency Preparedness Committee which meets quarterly. Training is conducted three times a year for members and non-members of the association. Members of the Missouri Funeral Directors Association also receive training through the State Emergency Management Agency and through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. They participate in exercises and drills.

MFDA indicated that currently the pre-identified mortuary sites are those generic sites mentioned above. The State may wish to consider pre-identification of the temporary sites in each of the MFDA districts as well as the major population centers.

Implementation

Encourage continued training of State and local mortuary qualified disaster coordinators, trained disaster responders and other funeral service personnel through the Missouri Funeral Directors Association, SEMA, and FEMA. Pre-identify temporary sites in major population centers and in each of the MFDA districts.

Responsible Agencies:

State Emergency Management Agency
Missouri Funeral Directors Association
Missouri Department of Health
State Highway Patrol
Missouri National Guard
Local Coroners/Medical Examiners

Last Changed April 28, 1997