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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- When it comes to disaster preparedness and recovery, the Emergency Management Department in Wapello County handles it all.

From mitigation to preparation and training to response and recovery, Emergency Management cooperates with local police, sheriffs and firefighters to better prepare the community for disaster situations.

"Along with that is the education of the citizens like the storm spotter training that we're doing [Tuesday] night, the more information we can get into people's hands to prepare them and their family for disaster, the better off we're going to be as a whole community so that we have informed folks who know what to do when a storm's coming, maybe we can lessen the effects of disaster, save some lives," said Josh Stevens, Wapello County Emergency Management Coordinator.

It is difficult to prepare for certain situations. The floods of 2008 and 2010 had completely different circumstances, and it is hard to predict where and when storms will touch down. But having a plan is important, as is training.

"I try to push a lot of training because I think the more training we can get to our folks here locally, the better off we are prepared," Stevens said. "And I try to bring in also from the outside because there's other new ideas that we haven't thought about or that we want to see."

Stevens also coordinates training with the local police and fire departments, such as the Hazmat training, held at the Ottumwa fire tower in January. Each sessions helps specialize in certain emergency situations, such as with certain chemicals.

A good tip Stevens offered to families in the area is to have a disaster plan for all situations. Many homes have a fire escape or tornado plan, but it pays to think broad, to think about the unexpected and to always be prepared.

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, along with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security, are also urging Iowans to be smart and plan ahead for disasters.

They recommend taking three steps to take proper precautions: be aware of the hazards that might affect you, make an emergency plan and make an emergency supply kit.

It is also important to remember the other N11 codes. Most people know 911 is for emergency response, but there are several other emergency codes for specific uses.

211 is for community information and referral services, 311 for nonemergency police, fire and municipal business, 411 for local director assistance, 511 is travel information that includes contstruction status, accidents and road conditions, 611 is for customers of some telephone companies to report telephone service problems, 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service for those hard of hearing or deaf and 811 for utilities to be located and marked to prevent interuppting service.