When national disaster strikes, it is often members of the National Guard who are tasked with the major search, rescue and relief efforts for victims on the ground. But how do they prepare for devastation like that left in the wake of Sunday’s deadly tornado in Joplin, Missouri? For more on the relief efforts, and the rigorous training that goes into it, we speak with Major Tammy Spicer, Missouri National Guard State Public Affairs Officer. In this case, not only were six miles of roads, buildings and homes flattened by the winds which killed over 100 people, but the town’s hospital was shut down after it sustained major damage, leaving the injured with nowhere to turn. Brian Stelter, reporter for The New York Times has updates from his reporting in the town.
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