1221st Transportation Company in Dexter awaiting potential assignment

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson recently signed an executive order to begin mobilizing the Missouri National Guard to assist in the state’s COVID-19 response efforts.

“The COVID-19 crisis is constantly developing and changing, but we are taking steps each and every day to slow the spread and protect public health and safety,” Gov. Parson said in a news release. “Mobilizing the National Guard will help us provide more immediate resources to our citizens and enhance Missouri’s ability to overcome this global pandemic.”

The Army National Guard 1221st Transportation Company in Dexter is awaiting word on what its role will be.

Supply Technician Sgt. Cameron Pulley said there’s a good possibility the local unit will be activated but it hasn’t received any orders.

“We’re doing our monthly training,” Pulley said. “We’re doing our tasks and getting the trucks ready for any type of mission that comes along.”

The guard has begun conducting several missions, including assisting in the setup and operation of community based testing sites, providing intrastate transportation of personnel and equipment for medical or testing support, providing logistical support to local and state responders as needed and continued assessment, facilitation and construction of temporary medical or other facilities.

The guard has been helping the state locate potential alternate care sites, if needed, across Missouri.

Other agencies involved are the Department of Health and Senior Services, the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Missouri Office of Administration, the Missouri Hospital Association, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

Several sites have been assessed including the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Hearnes Arena in Columbia, Hammons Student Center and JQH Arena in Springfield, Missouri Southern State University Legget and Platt Arena in Joplin and Hy-Vee Arena and Silverstein Eye Centers Arena in Kansas City.

The main criteria for site selection are location in areas with deficient bed counts, areas with spaces large enough for patient populations and areas where utilities are available to start immediate construction, if necessary. 

Adjutant General Levon Cumpton said the guard is providing specialized health and safety training to all personnel who are being mobilized in addition to guidance that all soldiers, airmen and civilians have already received from the Department of Defense and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The National Guard is ready and poised to assist local and state civilian authorities in response to COVID-19,” Brigadier General Cumpton said. “The guard has flexibility in utilizing resources and deploying them around the state where they are most appropriate.”

On March 13, Gov. Parson declared a state of emergency in Missouri and directed the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan to be activated. Several measures have already been taken to respond to the increased health threat posed by COVID-19, including the signing of Executive Order 20-04 to ease regulatory burdens that interfere with Missouri’s response efforts.