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Four tornado warnings in 15 days is enough to make anyone pause and ask a hard question: if the sirens went off right now, would we actually know what to do? Melissa Harmer sits down with Raymore Emergency Management Director Tim Baldwin to recap the city’s recent stretch of severe spring weather and translate the chaos into clear, practical tornado safety and flood safety steps you can use immediately. 

We talk through what happens when tornado warnings hit, how siren activations are triggered and why outdoor warning sirens are only one piece of the storm warning puzzle. Tim shares the “multiple ways to get information” approach that saves lives: a NOAA weather radio, Cass County Everbridge emergency notifications, trusted weather apps, local emergency management updates and live coverage from local stations when storms are unfolding. We also pull back the curtain on what emergency management monitors during an event, from National Weather Service coordination to widespread power outages and City communications. 

Heavy rain brings another threat people underestimate: flooding. Tim explains why flooding is Missouri’s deadliest weather hazard, how little water it takes to move a car and what to do when you come upon a flooded road. We close with a straightforward tornado shelter plan for homes and families, plus ways to get involved in preparedness through Raymore’s CERT program and upcoming community events. 

Subscribe for more local safety conversations, share this with a neighbor and leave a review so more Raymore residents can find these severe weather preparedness tips. Do you have your NOAA weather radio yet? 
Learn more about the City of Raymore's Communications Department at www.raymore.com/communications
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You can learn a lot about a city by following its paper trail and in Raymore, that trail runs through the City Clerk’s office. We sit down with City Clerk Erica Hill to explain what the job really looks like day to day: protecting permanent records, handling public meeting minutes, maintaining the Raymore code of ordinances and making sure official actions become searchable, signed and preserved. If you’ve ever wondered where to find council packets, ordinances or City records online, we point you to the exact places to look.

We also get into the practical services residents bump into all the time. Erica breaks down business licensing in Raymore, including when a license is required, what documents you may need, the annual renewal cycle and why the end of the year gets so busy. We talk permits too, including neighborhood vehicles like golf carts and side-by-sides, with clear rules around inspections, insurance, licensed drivers and where these vehicles can legally operate on city streets.

Along the way, we give a shout out to Raymore's 149th anniversary of incorporation (March 20, 2026!) and explore Raymore’s municipal history, including the 1923 fire that destroyed earlier records, what the oldest surviving minutes say about life back then and when city ordinances were finally organized into a formal codebook until 1976. We also clarify the difference between the City charter and the Code of Ordinances. Finally, we walk through how to volunteer for Raymore boards and commissions, what the application process looks like and how appointments happen when vacancies open up. If this helped you understand local government a little better, subscribe, share the show, and leave a review so more neighbors can find it.
Learn more about the City of Raymore's Communications Department at www.raymore.com/communications
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A dark room filled with screens, a steady voice in your ear and a dozen decisions unfolding at once—that’s the world Courtney Harrison steps into every shift. We sit down with Raymore’s Dispatch Communications Supervisor to explore how 911 call-takers turn frantic moments into clear action, why location is the first question for a reason and what the calm in the chaos really looks like when seconds decide outcomes.

Courtney pulls back the curtain on the Raymore Emergency Communications Center, where two dispatchers staff each of four rotating teams around the clock, supporting Raymore Police, South Metro and West Peculiar Fire Protection Districts, Peculiar Police and Raymore Animal Control. She shares how dispatchers multitask under pressure—typing, listening, triaging resources and issuing emergency medical dispatch (EMD) instructions—all while keeping callers grounded and responders informed. We tackle myths about precise phone pings and TV drama and lay out practical tips: give your location first, answer the callback after an accidental dial and trust the follow-up questions designed to get help moving fast.

We also talk about the mental side of the work. Audio trauma lands in the brain like visual trauma, so team support and structured debriefs matter. Courtney explains the training pipeline—EMD, MULES, FEMA, CPR, crisis intervention and continuing education through APCO and Virtual Academy—that equips dispatchers for mass incidents, medical protocols and high-stress calls. And yes, there are rare, remarkable moments: a teammate who has helped deliver three babies over the phone and a chance neighborhood encounter that brought one story full circle.

Whether you’re curious about how 911 really operates or you’re considering a career behind the console, this conversation offers a clear, human view of the first first responders—the people who answer, guide and stay steady when everything else is not. If this resonated, follow the show, share with a friend, and leave a quick review so others can find it too.
Learn more about the City of Raymore's Communications Department at www.raymore.com/communications
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Ever wonder what modern animal control actually looks like when it’s done with care, skill and community in mind? We sit down with Raymore Animal Control Officer Caleb Waller to explore the real work behind the badge: reuniting lost pets through accurate microchips, preventing bites with simple habits and building a safer city through education and consistent enforcement. No scare tactics here—just practical steps any owner can take to keep pets healthy and neighbors safe.

Caleb breaks down how microchips truly function and the one thing that most often delays reunions: outdated phone numbers. We dig into the health and behavior reasons for early spay and neuter, how leash laws protect even “perfectly trained” dogs from unpredictable moments and why supervision beats the “it won’t happen to me” mindset. You’ll also hear dog bite prevention tips you can use today, from not reaching through fences to keeping vaccines current so a bite quarantine can happen at home instead of the shelter.

Pulling back the curtain on operations, Caleb shares Animal Control's 92% live release rate and the partnerships with rescues, vets and wildlife rehabilitators that make small facilities effective. We talk about unusual calls—yes, roaming peacocks—alongside feel-good wins like the itty bitty schnauzer who bounced back and found a home. Caleb’s work with the Missouri Animal Control Association highlights how ongoing training in wildlife handling, legal standards and humane practices elevates service across the state.

If you care about pet safety, responsible ownership and how a city turns compassion into policy, this conversation is for you. Check out resources at Raymore.com/animalcontrol and follow Facebook.com/RaymoreAnimalControl for updates and adoptable pets. If this episode helped you learn something new, subscribe, share it with a pet-loving friend, and leave us a quick review—what tip will you put into practice first?
Learn more about the City of Raymore's Communications Department at www.raymore.com/communications
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Winter brings fresh trout, fresh snow and—unfortunately—fresh scams. We kick off with seasonal updates for Raymore, from Johnston Lake being stocked with rainbow trout by the Missouri Department of Conservation to our community-named snow plows getting ready to roll. We also point you to our updated What’s Happening map at raymore.com/currentprojects so you can track development and infrastructure work anywhere in the city.
Then Police Chief Jim Wilson joins us to unpack the latest fraud trends hitting our area. The big red flags are clear: callers claiming you missed jury duty, threatening a warrant or demanding fines paid via gift cards or Bitcoin. We explain why legitimate agencies will never take money over the phone, how scammers use urgency to pressure you and what to do the moment a message feels off—hang up, verify with the official number and never share personal information. We talk about identity theft risks when victims give out details, what early steps to take to protect your credit and why reporting matters even if you feel embarrassed.
We round out with practical holiday safety tips: keep purses on your person, watch your cart, lock your car and hide valuables. Break down packaging so you don’t advertise new electronics at the curb. Stay aware in crowded stores and plan a sober ride if you’re celebrating, with DUI enforcement underway. It’s a simple playbook to keep your money, your data and your family safe while you enjoy everything our city has to offer this season.
If you found this helpful, follow the show, share it with a neighbor and leave a quick review so more Raymore residents can stay informed and safe.
Learn more about the City of Raymore's Communications Department at www.raymore.com/communications
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @CityofRaymoreMO