Bolivar, MO – Bolivar Schools and the City of Bolivar have reached a significant agreement to bolster community safety during weather emergencies. The partnership will grant public access to the Bolivar Middle School Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) gymnasium outside of regular school hours, including during tornado warnings, providing a vital refuge for residents.
The agreement enhances community safety by providing a centrally-located, reinforced storm shelter option for Bolivar residents living within a half-mile radius of the facility when severe weather strikes outside school hours. When the outdoor storm sirens are activated, personnel from the City of Bolivar and/or Bolivar Schools will be at the FEMA gym to provide community members access to the facility.
"This partnership reflects our shared commitment to safety," said Dr. Methvin, Superintendent of Bolivar Schools. "By opening the FEMA gym to the public during severe storm warnings, we're using our resources to serve the community in a meaningful and potentially life-saving way."
The FEMA gym, constructed to withstand extreme wind events, meets federal shelter standards and can provide secure refuge during tornado emergencies. FEMA recommends that people who use these types of storm shelters live within a half-mile of the building to ensure safe and quick arrival.
When the facility was built, it was primarily designed and funded as a storm shelter for Bolivar Middle School students and staff. Its use was governed by strict federal and state safety protocols, operational logistics, and district-level responsibility for staffing and maintenance. At that time, public access was not part of the official operational plan.
Over the past several months, Bolivar Schools and the City of Bolivar have worked closely together to revisit that plan. Through strong collaboration and a renewed focus on logistics, staffing, and emergency management protocols, officials were able to finalize an agreement that allows for the safe opening of the facility to the public during tornado warnings occurring outside school hours.
Bolivar City Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Brent Watkins praised the initiative as a step forward in emergency preparedness.
"This agreement is a testament to what we can accomplish through strong collaboration," Chief Watkins added. "We want Bolivar residents to know there’s a safe place available when it matters most. This shelter could make all the difference in a critical moment."
Watkins said residents should always have multiple ways to receive storm notifications, including storm sirens when outdoors and the City of Bolivar’s Rave Alerts Smart 911 System. Residents can download the Smart911 app on their phones or register online at https://getrave.com/login/bolivar. People can also watch for weather notifications on the City of Bolivar, Office of Emergency Management Facebook page.
On days when school is in session, the FEMA gym will be used for students and staff only and not open to the public between 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM. The FEMA gym is located at 604 W. Jackson Street, Bolivar.