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Details: Created on Friday, 30 June 2017 16:18

Emergency Management Officials Urge Caution
When Temperatures Rise

Parents Reminded to “Look Before You Lock” to Prevent Child Deaths

SPRINGFIELD – Each year in the U.S., an average of 37 children die from heatstroke after being left in locked cars. So far in 2017, 14 child fatalities have occurred. With the hottest days of summer just around the corner, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and county and municipal emergency management agencies are urging parents to take steps to ensure their children aren’t locked in a hot car.

Emergency management officials will be offering heat safety tips throughout July as part of Heat Safety Awareness Month in Illinois.

“No one should ever be left in a parked car, even for a short time,” said IEMA Director James Joseph. “Temperatures inside a parked vehicle can rapidly rise to dangerous levels even if the windows are open slightly, and can lead to brain damage or death.”

Joseph said heat effects can be more severe on children because their bodies warm at a faster rate than adults. He encourages parents to develop habits that will ensure the backseat is always checked before the car is locked, such as putting a purse, cell phone or other needed item in the back seat or making it a routine to open the car’s back door every time the car is parked.

“We experience hot and humid conditions several times during the summer in Illinois. The combination of this heat and humidity can reach dangerous levels, particularly for those spending time outdoors in direct sunlight and in buildings without air conditioning,” said Chris Miller, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lincoln. “Illnesses and fatalities due to heat are preventable. Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle; look before you lock your automobile.”

Other hot weather tips include the following:

• Always lock car doors and trunks, even at home, and keep keys out of children's reach.
• Stay hydrated by drinking at least 1½ to 2 quarts of fluids daily, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages and drinks containing caffeine.
• Avoid overexertion and strenuous outdoor activities if possible.
• Take advantage of cooling centers, public pools and air-conditioned stores and malls during periods of extreme heat. Even a few hours a day in air conditioning can help prevent heat-related illnesses.
• Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.
• Don’t forget your pets. Offer pets extra water and place the water bowl in a shaded area if outdoors. Make sure pets have a shady refuge where they can escape direct sun exposure.
• If you or someone around you begins experiencing dizziness, nausea, headache, confusion and a rapid pulse, seek medical attention immediate, as these could be the symptoms of heatstroke.

Additional tips on how to protect yourself and others from heat-related illnesses are available on the state’s Ready Illinois website (www.Ready.Illinois.gov).

Details: Created on Monday, 05 June 2017 14:40

Family Preparedness Plans Must Include Pets

IEMA, local emergency management agencies to focus on pet preparedness throughout June

SPRINGFIELD – Pets are cherished family members in many Illinois homes, so it’s important for pet owners to have plans to keep their pets safe during and after emergencies. Throughout National Pet Preparedness Month in June, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies will provide tips and information on pet emergency preparedness.

“More than half of homes in Illinois have at least one pet,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “Emergency situations can be very stressful, particularly for pets who don’t understand what is happening. If your family includes a dog, cat, hamster or other furry, feathered or scaly friends, don’t forget to include their unique needs in your home emergency plans.”

Joseph said home emergency supply kits for people should include a three-day supply of such items as food, water, first aid kit, weather alert radio, flashlights, spare batteries and other items. Pet owners should also have a pet preparedness kit stocked with items such as:

• At least a three-day supply of food and water
• Extra supplies of pet medicines
• Copies of pet registration, vaccinations and other important documents
• Photo of your pet in case you are separated during an emergency
• Collar with ID tag, harness or leash
• Crate or other pet carrier in case of evacuation
• Pet litter and box, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach for sanitation
• Toys, treats or other familiar items to reduce your pet’s stress during the emergency

A disaster may require you to evacuate your home, sometimes with little notice. It’s important to take pets with you, as an evacuation could last several days, even weeks, and your pets likely cannot survive without care. Plan now for places you and your pets can stay following an evacuation, as many public shelters do not allow animals inside.

It’s also important to have a back-up emergency plan in case you can’t care for or evacuate your animals yourself. Talk to neighbors, friends and family to make sure someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.

Additional pet preparedness and general emergency preparedness information is available on the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov, the Ready Illinois Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ReadyIllinois and on Twitter at Twitter.com/ReadyIllinois.

Details: Created on Wednesday, 31 May 2017 08:24

IEMA Highlights Emergency Preparedness for People with Access and Functional Needs in May

Ready Illinois website offers preparedness tips for people, caregivers

SPRINGFIELD – Most emergencies occur with little or no warning, such as the flooding currently impacting more than two dozen Illinois communities. While most disasters can’t be prevented, the stress of such situations can be reduced significantly through personal preparedness. This is particularly important for households with members who have disabilities, functional needs or may need assistance during an emergency.

Throughout May, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies will highlight the importance of disaster preparedness for people with functional and access needs.

“A flood, tornado or ice storm can cause power outages, force people to evacuate their homes or create other dangerous situations for people in the affected communities,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “That’s why we encourage everyone to be prepared, especially those who may have medical, functional or access needs. We have resources that can help people and their caregivers be better prepared for emergencies.”

Joseph said the Ready Illinois website offers a guidebook with preparedness tips for people with visual, cognitive or mobility impairments; people who are deaf or hard of hearing; those who utilize service animals or life support systems; and senior citizens. The guide, Emergency Preparedness Tips for Those with Functional Needs, is available at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.

For each functional need, the guidebook provides a list of supplemental items for a disaster kit, tips on developing an emergency plan, suggestions on how to be better informed about community emergency planning and a checklist of preparedness activities.

The Ready Illinois website also offers more than two dozen preparedness videos in American Sign Language on such topics as what to do before, during and after tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flooding, how to build an emergency supply kit, and what to do if you’re instructed to evacuate. The videos were developed in collaboration with the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission.

Details: Created on Monday, 24 April 2017 12:06

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE DISTRICT 10 BRINGS AWARENESS TO
ILLINOIS INAUGURAL DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS WEEK

Stay Focused, Don't Text and Drive, Your Life Depends On It

Pesotum, IL. Illinois State Police District 10 Commander Captain Louis Kink announces they will be participating in the inaugural Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week. Troopers will be giving special attention to distracted driving laws the week of April 24-28. A press conference Monday, April 24, at the Illinois State Capitol will kick off the campaign.

Illinois Distracted Driving laws have been in effect for seven years. Motorists need to be aware of the laws and obey them. This is not just to avoid getting a ticket, but to avoid causing an injury or fatal crash. The use of wireless telephones for all drivers, regardless of age, while operating a vehicle in a school zone or construction zone is prohibited. Also, the use of electronic communication devices or any other electronic
device, to text, e-mail, compose, read or send electronic messages or access internet sites while driving a motor vehicle is prohibited. Violating Illinois texting law can be costly. A first violation for this offense is $120 and can increase with multiple violations or when a violation occurs in a work or school zone.

Distracted Driving is a nationwide epidemic. Driver inattention is a factor in more than one million crashes annually, resulting in serious injuries, deaths, and an economic impact that the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says reaches nearly $40 billion per year. Americans spend about one hour and 15 minutes in their vehicles every day. Unfortunately, people often treat this as a time to multitask and take care of other daily activities. If you're driving your vehicle, you are already multitasking. At a minimum you are operating a vehicle at roadway speed, and you are calculating the distances and the navigation of all other drivers and obstacles around you.

Distracted driving statistics from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety paint a grim picture: In 2015, an estimated 3,477 people were killed. An additional 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. It is clear that distracted driving continues to be a deadly driving hazard.

Texting and driving is a "Choice" that requires motorists to take their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and mind off the task of driving. The ISP asks all motorists to "Drop it and Drive" and focus on the task at hand.

Details: Created on Monday, 03 April 2017 16:13

IEMA Highlights Role of Volunteers in Disasters

Volunteers assist with preparedness, response and recovery

SPRINGFIELD – Volunteers can provide critical assistance in disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts in Illinois. Throughout April, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies will highlight ways Illinois residents can help their communities be more resilient.

“Before disaster strikes, volunteers can promote personal preparedness so that people in their communities can stay safe during emergencies,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. When a disaster strikes, voluntary organizations help people in their community, region or across the country. Volunteers even play a vital role in ensuring the long-term recovery of a community affected by a disaster.”

Joseph said more than 50 communities have established Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) that have been used to help make their communities safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to and recover from emergencies.

Nearly 100 local CERT members recently participated in a day of training during the seventh annual Prairie State CERT Challenge at Joliet Junior College in Joliet. The event was sponsored by IEMA and hosted by Will County Emergency Management Agency.

The day’s activities involved training focused on disaster recovery activities, such as damage assessments, donations management, spontaneous volunteers and Multi-Agency Resource Centers. These training topics reflect activities CERT members have assisted with following several recent disasters in Illinois and are likely to assist with in future emergencies.

Disaster volunteer opportunities vary from community to community. People interested in learning more about how to volunteer to help before, during or after a disaster can contact local voluntary organizations or their local emergency management agency for information about opportunities in their area.