Raymore emergency management briefs council on World Cup planning, siren tests and CERT outreach

Raymore’s emergency management staff provided a briefing Sept. 8 outlining community preparedness activities and regional planning ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Emergency management staff member Baldwin said the Raymore CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) meets every other month; the group’s last meeting in August included a presentation by three American Red Cross staffers and the next meeting (Oct. 30) will include a training coordinator from the FBI’s Kansas City office. Baldwin said CERT meetings are open to the public and that he will give a presentation this week to The Whole Person, an organization that supports people with physical and developmental disabilities. Baldwin told the council that regional planners now estimate roughly 650,000 visitors will come to the metro area for next summer’s World Cup and that local planning for lodging, transportation and public safety is ongoing. He also reminded residents that outdoor warning sirens are tested at 11 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month (weather permitting) and advised indoor residents to rely on mobile alerts, weather radio or television. Baldwin noted September is National Preparedness Month and pointed listeners to ready.gov for preparedness tips. No formal council action was requested or taken on these reports. Baldwin invited questions and said he will attend upcoming regional emergency-management conferences in Missouri and Kentucky to continue planning work.