Forty volunteers completed a
16-hour Ground Search and Rescue training course on the weekend of October
20-21, 2012.Training began at the ILEAS
(Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System) classroom facility in Urbana and then
moved to Homer Lake in SE Champaign County.The training was conducted by Illinois Search and Rescue Council
certified instructors, from the McLean County EMA Search and Rescue Team and
the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office / Search and Rescue Team.The training included an overview of SAR
fundamentals, lost person behavior, SAR operations in the field, and search
crew field operations both during daylight and at night.Champaign County EMA, the Champaign County
Sheriff’s Office, the Cornbelt Fire Protection District Dive Team, and the Homer
Fire Dept. assisted in the training.
Approximately 50 people attended the first team meeting for the Champaign County Search and Rescue Team on Saturday, August 25, 2012. Command Staff from the Search and Rescue Division of the McLean County Emergency Management Agency gave a classroom presentation of Search and Rescue principles. Members were then invited outside to view and better understand several types of equipment used on a search deployment. Exhibits included the McLean County SAR Team trailer, Champaign County EMA Command Post vehicle, Champaign CERT trailer, ITECS communications trailer, Sheriff’s Office ATV and other equipment.
Champaign County EMA and local ESDA organizations closely monitored severe storm activity on Thursday, August 16. Several storm spotters were out for a short period of time. Illinois climatologist Jim Angel says the Champaign-Urbana area received 1.82" of rain on Thursday, by far the highest amount received this year. No significant reports of damage were received.
Details
Champaign County EMA participated in Playing It Safe, the annual family safety fair sponsored by Carle and Safe Kids Champaign County. The event took place on Saturday, June 9, at the Champaign County Fairgrounds. The day featured more than 40 activities and exhibits that focused on safety awareness for the entire family.
Champaign County EMA attended Rantoul's first Spring Fling on Wednesday, May 9, 2012. This was an opportunity for residents to meet one another and speak with local first responders under non-emergency circumstances.
