Thunderstorms and Tornados are a common occurrence in the central portion of the United States from March to September of any given year. The May 22, 2011, Joplin tornado was a powerful and catastrophic EF5-rated multiple-vortex tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri, United States, on the evening of Sunday, May 22, 2011. It was part of a May tornado outbreak and reached a maximum width of nearly one mile during its path through the southern part of the city. This particular tornado was unusual in that it intensified in strength and grew larger in size at a very fast rate. Overall, the tornado killed 158 people injured 1,150 others and caused damages amounting to a total of $2.8 billion. It was the deadliest tornado to strike the U.S. since 1947 and the seventh-deadliest overall. It also ranked as the costliest single tornado in U.S. history; the insurance payout was nearly $3 Billion Dollars. Included in the damage caused by the tornado was extensive damage caused to St. John's Regional Medical Center.

In a MEMO format, please discuss the following about the Joplin Disaster Response. Assignments that are outside of this range will lose points.

• What went well with the response?
• What were the significant challenges with the response?
• In which ways could the response have been improved?
• During Week One, we discussed Fayol's Five Functions of Management: (a)Planning,(b) organizing, (c) coordinating, (d) commanding, and (e) controlling. As the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Regional Medical Center in Joplin, MO how would you augment your healthcare facility's disaster preparedness. Discuss which ways you would exercise Fayol's First Function of Management,planninginto enhancing your facilities' disaster preparedness, specifically for tornados?