Joplin residents discuss steps to protect your home... - KOAM TV 7

The city of Joplin hosted a program this morning focused on designing a plan to keep neighborhood safe in the event of a disaster.

Joplin city leaders hosted the meeting to gather Good Samaritans and to increase awareness of the need for disaster planning.

They discussed ways you can protect your home and your neighbors.

Many times following a big disaster emergency services get overwhelmed and city officials say it's important to know that residents themselves can make a difference.

"There's several steps that I didn't know, and I was in the tornado, of shutting your gas off, your electric, your water, and just stuff like that, so they are going to talk about that and we are going to start teaching people about that and kind of getting to know your neighbors better," says Connie Chrisman of the City of Joplin.

The Map Your Neighborhood group hopes to meet on a monthly basis.