For immediate release:

December 4, 2006

Contact:

Nanci Gonder

573/751-6002

Health Department Evacuates Three Buildings Due to Heavy Snow Concerns

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services today evacuated employees from three buildings due to concerns of heavy snow on the roofs. The buildings, at 920 and 930 Wildwood Drive and 3418 Knipp Drive, in Jefferson City, house approximately 785 employees.

“Employees noticed ceilings sagging in the buildings and notified their superiors,” according to Jane Drummond, Director of the department. The City Engineer and the Office of Administration were called to assess the situation.

“The Wildwood Drive buildings are built to handle 20 pounds per square foot on the roof. It is estimated that the roofs had 25-28 pounds per square foot due to the snow. We decided to evacuate employees quickly for safety concerns,” Drummond added.

Drummond said employees with essential duties were relocated to the department’s other building at 912 Wildwood Drive. Other employees were sent home. She noted that with e-mail service many employees would be able to continue their duties from home.

The Wildwood buildings house programs such as communicable disease control, chronic disease prevention, environmental health, information technology and administrative offices. The Knipp building houses the department’s regulatory sections.

Drummond noted the building at 930 Wildwood Drive also houses the department’s vital records section, which issues birth and death certificates.

“Anyone who needs a copy of a birth or death certificate will need to go to a local public health agency until we are back in the building,” Drummond said.

Drummond said the department will continue making necessary arrangements to ensure the department’s work is not unduly interrupted.

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