Innogage was a sponsor at the OHSPRA conference last week. While I was there, I had the privilege of sitting in on the keynote presentation of Kim Vann, Community Development Coordinator for Joplin Schools.

In 2011, incredibly destructive EF5 Multi-vortex tornado that ripped through Joplin Missouri, destroying much of the city and obliterating most of the schools. It left 160 people dead in its wake including 16 students from the Joplin schools.

Although Joplin is no stranger to tornadoes, no one was ready for something of this magnitude.  Here are a few lessons learned that Kim shared with the group.

1. Do not get immune to the sound of the tornado sirens. If you live in a Midwest town (such as I do), you hear the tornado sirens go off on a regular basis. … Read More »