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Created on Wednesday, 01 November 2017 15:00

Emergency Management Officials, National Weather Service Encourage Winter Preparedness

November is Winter Weather Preparedness Month in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – Chilly temperatures experienced across the state recently are a reminder that the cold, snow and ice of Illinois winters aren’t far behind. To help people prepare for potentially dangerous winter weather, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the National Weather Service (NWS) and local emergency management agencies will highlight winter weather preparedness throughout November.

“According to the National Weather Service, there hasn’t been a winter in Illinois without at least one winter storm in the past century,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “During the winter of 2014-15, we had nine winter storms. To ensure you and your family stay safe no matter how bad the weather is this winter, please take a few minutes now to prepare.”

Joseph said IEMA and the NWS developed a winter weather preparedness guide to help people understand winter weather risks, along with tips for staying safe at home, in the car and at school. It also includes lists of suggested items for home and vehicle emergency supply kits. The guide is available on the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.

“The past two winters across the state of Illinois have been rather mild with little snow and ice. That may not be the case this coming winter season.” said Chris Miller, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lincoln. “People traveling need to be aware that most winter time traffic accidents occur with minor amounts of snow or ice, particularly when it has been a long time since we've faced those types of road conditions. The key is to just slow down to give yourself enough time and distance to stop your vehicle.”

Follow the Ready Illinois Facebook (www.facebook.com/ReadyIllinois) and Twitter (twitter.com/ReadyIllinois) pages for winter preparedness tips through the season.

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Created on Thursday, 26 October 2017 16:28

Prepare for All Types of Disasters, Including
Zombie Apocalypse

Illinois Resolution Designated October ‘Zombie Preparedness Month’

SPRINGFIELD – With Halloween just around the corner, people throughout Illinois are pulling together costumes for their kids or themselves, buying candy for trick-or-treaters and preparing for a zombie apocalypse. Wait….a zombie apocalypse?

October was designated “Zombie Preparedness Month” by a resolution approved earlier this year by the Illinois House of Representatives. The resolution, sponsored by state Rep. Chris Welch, urges Illinoisans to educate themselves about natural disasters and take steps to create a stockpile of food, water and other emergency supplies that can last up to 72 hours.

“One of our top priorities is encouraging people to be prepared for all types of emergencies and disasters,” said Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) Director James K. Joseph. “TV shows and movies about zombies are very popular today, particularly with young adults. Focusing on zombie preparedness is a fresh way to call attention to the importance of personal preparedness.” 

“This is a great opportunity to bring awareness to an important issue like disaster preparedness,” said Rep. Welch. “As we have seen recently in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, a disaster can happen at any time. When it does, it's best to be as prepared as possible. And we know, if you are prepared for zombies, you are prepared for a natural disaster."

Preparing for an emergency, whether it be a tornado, flood, ice storm, earthquake, even a zombie apocalypse, includes having an emergency supply kit to help you stay safe and well until power is restored or you’re able to evacuate. The kit should include items to sustain your household for at least three days, including the following:

• Water – one gallon per person per day
• Food – non-perishable items that don’t require cooking or refrigeration
• First aid supplies
• Flashlight
• NOAA Weather Alert Radio with AM/FM radio (with battery back-up or crank-style)
• Extra batteries
• Copies of important documents (driver’s license, insurance papers, birth certificates, etc.)
• Pet supplies (food, water, litter, etc.)

It’s also important to have a family emergency plan that includes home evacuation procedures, as well as meeting locations and ways for family members to contact each other if separated when an emergency arises. However, having a plan alone isn’t enough – the plans should be reviewed and practiced regularly so everyone is familiar with it.

Information on how to prepare for all types of emergencies is available at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.

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Created on Tuesday, 03 October 2017 15:48

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month

IEMA encourages people to learn how to avoid cyber attacks

SPRINGFIELD – Most people spend several hours each day online for work, pleasure or both. The widespread usage of computers, laptops, smartphones and tablets offers countless opportunities to connect with information and people around the world. It also provides myriad opportunities for cyber criminals.

Governor Bruce Rauner has proclaimed October National Cybersecurity Awareness Month to highlight the importance of understanding and avoiding cyber risks. During October, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is joining with county and municipal emergency management agencies to increase awareness of online risks and provide tips on what people can do to prevent problems.

“Computers and mobile devices give us access to a wealth of information and help us connect with people near and far,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “Unfortunately, there are people out there who continuously seek ways to cause harm and create havoc through these devices. The best way to defend against cyber attacks is by arming yourself with information about the risks and learning steps you can take to reduce the chance of being a victim of cybercrime.”

Joseph said the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov provides links to information and tips to help people minimize the risk of being a cybercrime victim. Some of those tips include the following:

• Configure your computer securely Use privacy and security settings in your software, email system and web browsers. Regularly update your anti-virus software to identify and thwart new strains of malicious software.
• Keep software and operating systems updated Install all software updates as soon as they are offered; using the “auto update” setting is the best way to ensure timely updates.
• Use strong passwords Cybercriminals use automated programs that will try every word in the dictionary in a few minutes. When creating a password, use at least 10 characters, with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
• Be cautious about links and attachments Even communications you receive that appear to be from friends and family may contain links to malicious sites, so be careful when clicking on links in those messages. When in doubt, delete it.

“Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue – it is a public safety issue,” stated Kirk Lonbom, Interim Secretary at Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology. “The month of October provides an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of cybersecurity risks and promote online safety.

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Created on Wednesday, 20 September 2017 14:03

Illinois Residents Encouraged to Register for ‘The Great ShakeOut’ Earthquake Drill

 ‘Drop, Cover and Hold On’ Drill Set for October 19

SPRINGFIELD – On Oct. 19 at 10:19 a.m., millions of people in the U.S. and around the globe will take a few minutes to practice three simple actions that could save their lives during a major earthquake. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and municipal and county emergency management agencies are encouraging Illinois residents to drop, cover and hold on during The Great ShakeOut earthquake drill.

“Earthquakes occur without warning, so it’s important to know what to do as soon as you feel the earth shake,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “With two seismic zones in southern Illinois and residents who travel throughout the world, it’s important that everyone knows how to stay safe during an earthquake. The drill takes only a few minutes, but the lessons learned could save your life.”

The Great ShakeOut drill centers around the drop, cover and hold on actions: drop down to the ground, take cover under a table or other piece of heavy furniture, and then hold on until the shaking stops.

In October 2016, nearly 500,000 Illinoisans took part in the ShakeOut drill. To date, more than 300,000 people in Illinois are registered for this year’s event.

Some of the most powerful earthquakes to ever occur in the U.S. happened in the winter of 1811-12 in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which reaches into southwestern Illinois. That series of earthquakes lasted for several months and shaking was felt as far away as the East Coast. A similar earthquake today could cause catastrophic damage in a region that is much more developed and populated than in the early 1800s.  

Schools, businesses, government agencies, families and others can register to participate in the drill at www.shakeout.org/centralus. Registered participants will receive additional information about the drill and earthquake preparedness. While the international drill will take place on Oct. 19, individual drills can be conducted anytime within two weeks of that date.

Additional information about the earthquake risk in Illinois and steps to take before, during and after an earthquake is available at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.