With Spring just around the corner, we can finally shed our winter woes and prepare for better days ahead. March is Severe Spring Weather Preparedness Month in Missouri because the weather transitions from snow to rain, tornadoes and flooding. On Thursday of this week, the City of Rolla Office of Emergency Management and Central Communications took part in the State Wide Tornado Drill hosted by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). Central Communications received the notification to begin the drill at 1:30 p.m. and ac
tivated our Early Warning System, which consists of Outdoor Warning Sirens, Cable Television Warning System and now Facebook and Twitter. The Statewide Tornado Drill is held each Spring, usually in early March to allow communities to test their early warning systems. We also test our EWS on the first Wednesday of each month throughout the year.
With the severe weather season upon us, emergency preparedness is vital to the survival of the community. Remember, when there is a severe weather “watch” this means to watch the sky, and be prepared to take immediate cover is the conditions worsen. If there is a severe weather “warning” take immediate cover! The City of Rolla Office of Emergency Management has adopted the plan to activate our early warning systems anytime the City of Rolla is named in the pathcast of a tornado warning or a severe thunderstorm warning with winds in excess of 70 mile per hour. We will not activate the system on “watch” forecasts. When our sirens are activated they will continue to sound as long as the threat is present, with the exception of brief pause intervals of approximately 5 – 10 seconds to cool the siren driver. In other words if you hear the sirens, take immediate cover and remain under cover until the sirens finally stop sounding.
This week’s Volunteers in Police Services spotlight will feature VIPS volunteer Larry Seest! Larry was born in Waynesville, Missouri, but moved to the State of California at a young age. After high school graduation Larry entered the US Navy where he was stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Ranger as an air traffic controller. After 4 years Larry left the Navy and entered Santa Ana Junior College where he received an associate degree in Fire Science. In 1978 Larry moved to Missouri and joined Rolla Fire and Rescue where he remained for 30 years attaining the rank of Assistant Chief / Fire Marshall. Larry retired from the fire service in 2009 and works construction part time. Larry is married to his wife Sandy and they have a son and daughter. Larry was attracted to the VIPS program, because it provides an opportunity to give service to the community, which he has been doing his entire adult life. Thanks Larry for all you do!
This week’s Rolla Police Department Facebook “Employee of the Week” is Senior Patrol Officer Tony Lauth! Tony was born and raised in Washington, Missouri. In 2000 Tony entered the Law Enforcement Training Institute in Columbia, Missouri for his law enforcement certification. Upon graduation, Tony accepted a position as patrolman with the New Haven Police Department. Tony then moved to Rolla to accept a position with the University of Missouri – Rolla Police Department, (now Missouri S&T). In 2004 Tony applied and was hired at the Rolla Police Department where he now serves in the Traffic Division as a Senior Patrol Officer. Tony is also one of the 2 advisors for the Rolla Police Department Explorer Post #170 where he coordinates training, duty assignments, cadet applicants and many other functions for the Post. Tony is married to his wife Malinda and they have one daughter and are expecting their second child in the very near future. Tony enjoys fishing, golfing and spending time with his family. Congratulations Tony on your selection as Employee of the Week!
The Missouri S&T St. Patrick’s Day celebration is in full swing and there will be students and alumni all over town taking part in various related activities. On Wednesday, Lt. Doug James, S/Sgt. Rick Williams and VIPS Coordinator Vince Giacolone escorted St. Pat and his court into Rolla and over to the Downtown Band shell for opening ceremonies. Rolla Mayor Bill Jenks and the Rolla Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors were on hand to welcome St. Pat’s arrival. Festivities continued all week and will feature the annual downtown parade this morning, followed by a free concert at the Rolla Downtown Bandshell. Please use caution in and around town and be sure to watch for increased pedestrian traffic as the St. Pat’s celebration continues.
Have a great week!
Chief Mark Kearse
tivated our Early Warning System, which consists of Outdoor Warning Sirens, Cable Television Warning System and now Facebook and Twitter. The Statewide Tornado Drill is held each Spring, usually in early March to allow communities to test their early warning systems. We also test our EWS on the first Wednesday of each month throughout the year.With the severe weather season upon us, emergency preparedness is vital to the survival of the community. Remember, when there is a severe weather “watch” this means to watch the sky, and be prepared to take immediate cover is the conditions worsen. If there is a severe weather “warning” take immediate cover! The City of Rolla Office of Emergency Management has adopted the plan to activate our early warning systems anytime the City of Rolla is named in the pathcast of a tornado warning or a severe thunderstorm warning with winds in excess of 70 mile per hour. We will not activate the system on “watch” forecasts. When our sirens are activated they will continue to sound as long as the threat is present, with the exception of brief pause intervals of approximately 5 – 10 seconds to cool the siren driver. In other words if you hear the sirens, take immediate cover and remain under cover until the sirens finally stop sounding.
This week’s Volunteers in Police Services spotlight will feature VIPS volunteer Larry Seest! Larry was born in Waynesville, Missouri, but moved to the State of California at a young age. After high school graduation Larry entered the US Navy where he was stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Ranger as an air traffic controller. After 4 years Larry left the Navy and entered Santa Ana Junior College where he received an associate degree in Fire Science. In 1978 Larry moved to Missouri and joined Rolla Fire and Rescue where he remained for 30 years attaining the rank of Assistant Chief / Fire Marshall. Larry retired from the fire service in 2009 and works construction part time. Larry is married to his wife Sandy and they have a son and daughter. Larry was attracted to the VIPS program, because it provides an opportunity to give service to the community, which he has been doing his entire adult life. Thanks Larry for all you do!
This week’s Rolla Police Department Facebook “Employee of the Week” is Senior Patrol Officer Tony Lauth! Tony was born and raised in Washington, Missouri. In 2000 Tony entered the Law Enforcement Training Institute in Columbia, Missouri for his law enforcement certification. Upon graduation, Tony accepted a position as patrolman with the New Haven Police Department. Tony then moved to Rolla to accept a position with the University of Missouri – Rolla Police Department, (now Missouri S&T). In 2004 Tony applied and was hired at the Rolla Police Department where he now serves in the Traffic Division as a Senior Patrol Officer. Tony is also one of the 2 advisors for the Rolla Police Department Explorer Post #170 where he coordinates training, duty assignments, cadet applicants and many other functions for the Post. Tony is married to his wife Malinda and they have one daughter and are expecting their second child in the very near future. Tony enjoys fishing, golfing and spending time with his family. Congratulations Tony on your selection as Employee of the Week!The Missouri S&T St. Patrick’s Day celebration is in full swing and there will be students and alumni all over town taking part in various related activities. On Wednesday, Lt. Doug James, S/Sgt. Rick Williams and VIPS Coordinator Vince Giacolone escorted St. Pat and his court into Rolla and over to the Downtown Band shell for opening ceremonies. Rolla Mayor Bill Jenks and the Rolla Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors were on hand to welcome St. Pat’s arrival. Festivities continued all week and will feature the annual downtown parade this morning, followed by a free concert at the Rolla Downtown Bandshell. Please use caution in and around town and be sure to watch for increased pedestrian traffic as the St. Pat’s celebration continues.
Have a great week!
Chief Mark Kearse
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