A Message from the ema coordinator
 EMA
2010 2nd Quarter Report
EMA Leadership
Palatine Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has two new leaders
at the top of their organizational chart. With the concurrence of
the Village Manager, the Fire Chief and the EMA Coordinator,
effective June 11, 2010, Kevin Thomas was appointed as Assistant EMA
Coordinator- Planning Specialist and Joe Lance, was appointed
Assistant EMA Coordinator-Logistics Specialist. These volunteer
positions are expected to enhance EMA capabilities in responding to,
and planning for, an emergency and/or disaster.
Kevin and Joe
have been involved in emergency management for many years here in
Palatine and have held numerous leadership roles during that time.
Both are local volunteers who have distinguished themselves in
response and planning activities. These appointments fill a gap
identified in the “line of succession” in the EM department which is
outlined in our Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). Both positions have
equal authority on the organizational chart for the EMA and will
report to EMA Coordinator, Tom Smith.
Team
Activations
Palatine volunteer teams were busy
during the second quarter of the year in training and activations.
On May 4th, the Fire Rehab Team (FRT) was invited to provide rehab
services to over 40 fire fighters training in closed space and high
rope rescue during an all day exercise at the NIPSTA facility in
Glenview. The MABAS Division 1 departments represented were
Palatine, Des Plaines, Palatine Rural, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg,
Elk Grove, Mount Prospect and Arlington Heights. The FRT provides
hydration and nourishment to fire fighters who must take breaks
while fighting fires or otherwise engaged in their activities.
Our Emergency Response Team (ERT) was activated for flooding in
the Village on Thursday May 13. Eleven ERT members responded to the
PW facility and assisted with sand bagging operations. IC was
established at the scene as well as a Safety Officer and
Communications Officer were both assigned to the team. A radio “net”
was established between the sandbagging team, police dispatch and
the activated EOC. In all, 56 hours of volunteer time was logged in
the EOC and in sand bagging operations.
Also on Friday June
18, a late afternoon storm roared through Palatine sparking a fire
from a downed power line at the WINGS Resale shop at the corner of
Northwest Hwy and Rohlwing Road. Because of the need to close a
major intersection, the Palatine ERT was called into action to help
with traffic direction. Twelve volunteers responded and helped out
the PD. While this fire was being engaged by the FD a second fire at
the Winslowe Apartments occurred. Our FRT was activated and they
assisted with rehabbing fire personnel at this location. Fire
fighters from seven different jurisdictions fought this apartment
fire. Water and snacks were distributed to all. Once that task was
completed, the FRT was requested at the first fire that the ERT was
assisting with.
EOC Technology Grant
Palatine EMA recently received notification that they have been
awarded an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Technology Grant from
the Illinois Emergency Services Management Association (IESMA). The
grant in the amount of $70,074.06 will be used to add needed
technology in our current EOC in the Village Hall. Items being
considered include the purchase of laptop computers, big screen
monitors, video projectors and upgrades of wireless technology.
2010 Impact Award
On April 12, with many
local volunteer agencies and over 75 volunteers in attendance,
Palatine Emergency Management Agency was recognized by The Volunteer
Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago as the Volunteer Program of the
Year. Mary Fitzgibbons, Director of the Center presented the award
to EMA Coordinator Tom Smith with the Village Manger Reid Ottesen,
Mayor Jim Schwantz and several volunteers in attendance. The award
was presented, “In recognition of programs for outstanding
achievement in utilizing volunteers to address a community need”.
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