What We Do

The State of Missouri is responsible for working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to address homeland security planning requirements in the state; this includes prioritization and distribution of grant funds.  These responsibilities are carried out by the Division of Homeland Security and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), both located within the Department of Public Safety (DPS).

In order to more effectively plan, manage, and administer the Homeland Security planning requirements and funding, the State has been organized into 11 regions.  Region F includes Audrain, Boone, Camden, Cole, Cooper, Gasconade, Howard, Miller, Moniteau, Montgomery, Morgan, and Osage counties.

Each region has formed a Regional Homeland Security Oversight Committee (RHSOC) comprised of one representative from the following 14 core positions or disciplines: Director of Emergency Management, Chief of Police, County Sheriff, Chief of Fire, County Health, Homeland Security Response Team, City or County Public Works, Mayor or City Administrator, County Commissioner, Private Industry/Public Utility, Emergency Medical Service, 911, volunteer sector, and Education. The Region F RHSOC also voted to have a representative from Agriculture to better meet the region’s needs.

The primary purpose of the RHSOCs is to administer plans, projects, and grant programs at the regional level.

The Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission (Mid-MO RPC) is responsible for assisting the Region F RHSOC, in conjunction with the Department of Public Safety, in developing a planning process to assess, evaluate, identify, and prioritize existing and needed Homeland Security assets.  This planning process is used as a basis for funding and policy recommendations from the region.

The Mid-MO RPC also serves as the primary administrative agent for the committee; this involves completing paperwork, arranging meetings, and facilitating communication between the individual RHSOC disciplines.  In addition, the Mid-MO RPC serves as the fiscal agent for the administration of the grant programs after they receive approval from the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC).