The terrible events associated with Hurricane Katrina demonstrated the deadly consequences of failing to adequately perform vital disaster logistics support functions at the local, state and federal levels. Hurricane Katrina highlighted an urgent need for all states to develop and deploy new disaster logistics training, planning and preparedness activities to assist local officials to be better prepared to respond to disasters, especially catastrophic ones. Fortunately, Governor Blunt had already recognized this need and had initiated actions that resulted in the development of Executive Order 05-42 that he signed on November 14, 2005. Public Safety Director Mark James and SEMA Director Ron Reynolds were already taking steps to reorganize and establish within SEMA a NIMS section dedicated to providing and improving logistics support for local governments. During disasters the staffing of the Logistics Section is reinforced with trained personnel from the Mitigation Section and the Floodplain Management Section within the Logistics, Mitigation & Floodplain Management Branch. The Office of Administration further reinforces the Logistics Section with Resource Management staffing and backup support from its considerable internal resources to provide the best support possible. Multiple disasters and exercises in Missouri since that time have reinforced the wisdom of making these changes. Since the reorganization, SEMA has developed a new Logistics Situation Assessment, Logistics Needs Assessment and a Logistics Plan and Standard Operating Guide. The complex logistics training necessary to teach local officials how to interface and integrate into the logistics system is under development, and will be a key element in helping the Logistics Section Chief ensure that local officials can interface appropriately with the state government during a disaster and provide essential logistics support for their disaster preparedness, response and recovery operations. For more information about Logistics and Resource Management please call (573) 526-9209 or (573) 526-9115 and ask to speak with a member of our Logistics Section staff.