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September is National Preparedness Month |
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As part of Illinois' observance of National Preparedness Month in September, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) today unveiled eight new radio spots aimed at encouraging people to prepare for disasters. The ads are expected to air more than 30,000 times statewide during the coming year and will direct people to the Ready Illinois website to learn more about how to prepare for emergencies.
Read the full press release.
Radio Ads
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August is Pet and Livestock Preparedness Month |
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While every household should have a disaster preparedness kit stocked with survival necessities such as food, water, flashlights and batteries, homes with pets and livestock need to take an extra step when planning for disasters. Whether an emergency forces people to seek shelter within the home or evacuate, advanced planning can ensure pet and livestock safety and make the situation much less stressful.
Throughout August, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) will be working to increase awareness of pet and livestock preparedness as part of its 12 Month Preparedness Campaign.
Read the press release about Pet and Livestock Preparedness month.
More Animal and Pet Preparedness Information
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Governor Quinn declares 12 counties state disaster areas for recent flooding |
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Governor Pat Quinn declared 12 counties state disaster areas after heavy rains caused flooding throughout much of northern Illinois. Counties declared state disaster areas include Carroll, Cook, DuPage, Henderson, Jo Daviess, Lee, Mercer, Ogle, Rock Island, Stephenson, whiteside and Winnebago. Click here to read press release.
Tuesday, August 31st Press Release - Governor Quinn Requests Federal Assistance for Local Governments in 13 Flood-Ravaged Counties
Thursday, August 19th Press Release - Governor Quinn Announces Federal Disaster Assistance Approved For Seven Counties
Monday, August 16th Press Release - Governor Quinn Requests Federal Assistance for Seven Flood-Ravaged Counties
Flood Safety Information
Heavy rains throughout northern Illinois recently caused severe flooding in many areas. Many homes and businesses suffered water damage and standing water remains in several areas. It's important for people in and around these flooded areas to be aware of flood-related dangers. Floodwaters and sewer overflow can contain bacteria, fecal material, viruses and other organisms that may cause disease. To prevent illness and injury:
- Avoid skin contact with sewer water, especially cuts and sores. Keep them clean and covered.
- Do not allow children to play in floodwaters or areas contaminated by sewage backup.
- Do not eat or drink anything exposed to sewer water.
- Wash hands frequently following contact with sewer water or contaminated objects or surfaces.
For more information about post-flood safety, please refer to the Illinois Department of Public Health publication "After the Flood."
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12-Month Campaign Focuses on Heat Safety |
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Extreme heat causes more deaths than all other weather combined
IEMA's 12-Month Preparedness Campaign will promote heat safety throughout July, which is typically the hottest month of the year in Illinois. Most extreme high temperature records have been set during July, including the state's hottest month ever recorded in July 1936. Extreme temperatures aren't just uncomfortable -- they are also responsible for more weather-related deaths than all other weather phenomena combined.
Read the press release about heat safety month.
Hot Weather Safety Tips for Senior Citizens - Illinois Department on Aging
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Governor Quinn Secures SBA Disaster Assistance to Help Communities Affected by June 5 Tornadoes |
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Homeowners, Businesses Affected by Tornadoes in North Central Illinois Eligible to Apply for Low-Interest Loans
On June 18th Governor Pat Quinn asked President Obama to declare Kankakee, LaSalle, Livingston, Peoria and Putnam counties major disasters areas. If approved, a federal disaster declaration would help people and businesses affected by the June 5th tornadoes recover from the storm's aftermath by allowing them to apply for grants and loans to assist with storm-related losses.
On July 6th Governor Pat Quinn announced that the state's request for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration has been granted for several counties in north central Illinois that were hit by tornadoes on June 5. The declaration will make low-interest loans available to homeowners, renters and businesses in the primary counties of LaSalle, Livingston and Peoria, as well as 15 contiguous counties, including Kankakee and Putnam.
Press Releases
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Severe Weather Preparedness |
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There are a number of severe weather hazards that affect Illinois, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, floods and flash floods, damaging winds and large hail, snow and ice. Severe weather hazards have the potential to cause extensive property damage, injury and/or death.
In 2006, Severe Weather Preparedness week had ended one day before the tornadoes touched down in Springfield.
In order to assist the people of Illinois to be better prepared in case of severe weather, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, works together with the National Weather Service and the American Red Cross to promote weather preparedness through public awareness campaigns. These goals are reached through press releases, media coverage and publication of a booklet containing information regarding safety measures, warning signs, historical data and contact information. The Severe Weather Preparedness document can be found here.
During the first week of March containing a Tuesday, the Severe Weather Preparedness campaign is promoted. This preparedness week is promoted in conjunction with the state-wide tornado drill. Read the Severe Weather Preparedness week press release.
For information on severe winter weather, click here.
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IEMA Hosts Event to Test Skills of Community Emergency Response Teams |
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The first-ever Prairie State Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Challenge was held on Saturday, June 26 in Bensenville. The event, which was hosted by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), brought together volunteer response teams from 13 communities. The day-long event tested the teams' skills through real-life settings at 10 different stations.
The top three finishers were Elk Grove Village, New Lenox and Chicago. Other teams participating included Buffalo Grove, Glen Ellyn, Itasca, Long Grove (South Lake County), Milton Township (DuPage County), Northbook, Palatine, Wauconda, Wheaton and Will County. Elk Grove Village will be recognized at the IEMA Conference in September. Nearly 100 volunteers also participated in serving as evaluators, controllers, communicators and victims.
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New Statewide TV spot Created by High School Student
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IEMA Launches 12-Month Preparedness Campaign |
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Year-long campaign to focus on different aspects of preparedness during 2010
As people throughout Illinois make resolutions for the New Year, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is hoping many will resolve to become better prepared for emergencies during 2010. To help with those resolutions, the agency has launched a year-long preparedness campaign called the "12-Month Preparedness Campaign."
"People sometimes think emergency preparedness is too daunting, so they don't do anything," said IEMA Director Andrew Velasquez III. "By focusing on one aspect of preparedness each month, we'll take people through preparedness step by step. Hopefully, by the end of this year people will find it was easy to become better prepared for disasters."
Velasquez said IEMA will focus on a different preparedness topic each month in 2010, beginning with home preparedness in January. Throughout the month, the agency will feature personal and family preparedness tips and guidance on the Ready Illinois website, as well as photos, videos and additional preparedness information through the Ready Illinois Facebook page. Directions on assembling a disaster supply kit and information about family emergency plans are two of the subjects that will be featured during January.
Other topics to be addressed during the year-long campaign include home preparedness, workplace preparedness, earthquake preparedness, children and preparedness, weather-related preparedness, cyber security, preparedness for people with pets and livestock and preparedness for people with functional needs.
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IEMA Partners with Amateur Radio Operators |
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A newly forged partnership between amateur radio operators throughout the state and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) will provide an additional layer of emergency communications during disasters. The agreement creates the State Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) program, which will facilitate communications between the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and the amateur radio operators in Illinois. The agreement further strengthens the state's federally approved State Communications Interoperability Plan, which includes several layers of redundant communications systems. Click here to read more.
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Flu seasons are unpredictable in a number of ways, including the timing of the beginning, severity and length. This flu season there are more uncertainties than usual because of the emergence of a new flu virus, H1N1, previously called "swine flu." Scientists are predicting that the H1N1 virus may cause the flu season to be worse than usual with a lot more people getting sick, being hospitalized and dying than during a typical flu seasonal. Click on the above H1N1 flu or seasonal flu logo on this page for the most up-to-date information and to learn about ways to protect yourself and your family from getting ill. Thank you for visiting ready.illinois.gov.
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U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Influenza website |
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