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.

The team will next meet on Friday, September 14, 2012 and Saturday, September 15, 2012 (members should attend ONE of the two identical sessions), for a three-hour course on Search and Rescue Initial Operations (SARIO).

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.
 

ARES Spotter Training (4/23/12) ?

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 sponsored an emergency generator refresher training class on June 7th.  Chris Ingram from Roland Machinery and J.J. Costello from CK Power presented the training, which was attended by representatives from numerous county agencies.  These generators were provided to the county through the ITTF (Illinois Terrorism Task Force) and are available to use during an emergency or disaster.