Dallas County Health Department

Response Plan for Disasters, Public Health Emergencies, and Pandemics

Local Public Health Emergency Plan
7 - Basic Plan
II - Situation and Assumptions

Dallas County is located north of Springfield in southwest Missouri.  Counties that border Dallas are: Greene to the south, Hickory to the north, Laclede to the east, Webster to the southeast, and Polk to the west.  

Based on the 2003 estimates, the land area of Dallas County is 542 square miles with a population of about 16,113.  The incorporated cities within the County are: 

• Buffalo (population: 2851)                        

• Urbana (population: 417)  

Dallas County is vulnerable to many hazards, all of which have the potential to disrupt the community, cause damage, and create casualties.  The identified natural hazards include flooding, tornadoes, wildfire, drought, earthquake and severe winter storms.  Other technological disasters include dam failure, terrorism, hazardous materials incidents, power failure, and transportation accidents.  There is also the threat of a war-related incident such as a nuclear attack.  

This plan is supported by the Dallas County Emergency Operations Plan, which describes the overall emergency response procedures for our community.  

Dallas County has capabilities and resources, which, if effectively employed would minimize or eliminate the loss of life and damage to property in the event of an emergency or major disaster.  This must include the utilization of private and volunteer organizations to the greatest extent possible.  

Mutual aid agreements, both verbal and written, exist between all the Fire Departments serving Dallas County. A mutual aid agreement also exists with the Logan-Rogersville Hazardous Materials Response Team. Verbal mutual aid exists between the Dallas County Ambulance Service and the ambulances serving Greene, LaClede and Polk counties. Verbal mutual aid exists between the County Sheriff's Department and the Police Departments in all of the municipalities in Dallas County.  

This emergency management plan is being developed and maintained pursuant to Missouri State Law, Chapter 44, RSMo, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidance