Missouri sends SEMA team to help with Sandy relief

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) - An emergency management team from Missouri is headed to New York to help manage volunteers and donations in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy.

Gov. Jay Nixon's office says the New York emergency management office asked for help from Missouri's State Emergency Management Agency. The request was made through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which is part of the nation's mutual aid system.

Nixon says SEMA gained valuable experience after last year's Joplin tornado in helping coordinate the efforts of hundreds of thousands of volunteers who came from all over the U.S. to help.

Statewide SEMA volunteer coordinator Dante Gliniecki is leading the team going to New York.

Nixon encouraged Missouri residents who want to help with relief efforts to donate to the American Red Cross or other disaster relief organizations.