IESMA EMAT Deploys to Iroquois County
Ron Graziano, President The IESMA EMAT deployed to Iroquois County for flooding on IEMA approved mission orders, under the current Mobile Support Team Agreement, to fulfill unmet needs as identified by the local EMA Coordinator and IEMA Regional Coordinator.
The 9 member EMAT arrive at the Iroquois County Emergency Operations Center in the afternoon on Thursday, March 1st, 2018. Team Leader Rick Grah, Randolph County EMA, is directing the Initial Damage Assessment with four 2-person teams deployed. Kendall Caruthers, Logan County EMA is proving EOC support as Assistant EOC Manager. IEMA staff is present working side by side with the EMAT to ensure the data collected is compiled as timely, accurately, and completely as possible.
On, Friday, March 2, 2018, DA teams were able to reach approximately 300 impacted homes in Watseka and outlying areas of the county. Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 the EMAT DA Team was expanded to 12 members total to directly, face to face, reach as many residents as possible. Mission orders were carefully reviewed and executed under the mindfulness of EMAT Coordinator Dave Christensen, Mc Henry County EMA, and EMCOM Supervisor/SEOC Liaison Bucky Washam, Logan County EMA.
IEMA & Local EMs Still Working on Part 301 Rule Change
Emily Kies, Region 3 RVP The working group of IEMA, IESMA and local EMs continue to work on the proposed part 301 rule change. You can view the current working draft here: WORKING DRAFT
Mick Fleming Sworn in as IESMA Secretary
IESMA News 
IESMA would like to congratulate Mick Fleming, CEM from Northwest Central who was recently sworn in as IESMA Secretary. Congratulations Mick!
Emily Kies Sworn in as Region 3 RVP
IESMA News 
IESMA would like to congratulate Emily Kies from St. Charles EMA who was recently sworn in as the Region 3 Regional Vice President. Congratulations Emily!
End of An Era: Felchner Honored by IESMA
IESMA News 
Gene Felchner, now serving with IDOT received recognition from the IESMA Executive Board during the last meeting for his years of service as IEMA's training manager. Pictured: Felchner, Keenan Campbell and IESMA Vice-President Dawn Cook. Your presence at IEMA will be greatly missed Gene! Best of luck on your new endeavor! |
IESMA Summit - 2018
Join us for the 2018 annual IESMA Summit this year! Breakout sessions will include many new and upcoming issues facing the world of Emergency Management today. We are also offering the Refer- a-Friend Program, which allows you to not only refer a friend to the Association for FREE for one year, but also allows them to take advantage of the member rate for the Summit. Please visit the IESMA Website for full details or CLICK on the picture below to visit the Summit Page!
*** Please see the guidelines and regulations on the IESMA website in regards to the refer a friend program ***
IESMA Membership Corner
Emily Kies, Membership Chair 
“Did you know that we recently sent out a survey to all of our members? If you took the time the complete the survey, thank you! We have published the findings of the survey below. There are many opportunities to get involved with the association on a variety of committee’s and projects, just find the one that’s right for you! The Membership Committee continues to look for opportunities to bring Best Practices and Shared experiences to the hands of the general membership, but we can’t do that without you!
- If you have an idea that you think could benefit others, let the Membership committee know!
- If you know of someone who has gone above and beyond in the field of Emergency Management, let the Membership Committee know, we would love to celebrate their success!
- If you would like to be more involved with IESMA, and you think the Membership committee is a good fit for you, please reach out to the Membership Committee members to find out how to get more involved.
IESMA Membership Survey Results
This survey was sent out to all IESMA members (approximately 700) we received the below responses from 82 individuals. The responses are categorized and then tallied to identify common threads among the members. The common threads are summarized below.
Q1 why did you become an IESMA member? Essay
The vast majority of individuals stated Networking and learning best practices as the reason that they joined IESMA. A few stated that it was part of their job description or that they were required/recommended to join.
Q2 what do you feel would motivate a potential prospect to become a member? Survey
The majority of members stated opportunities to network, share best practices, training, shared knowledge base, the remainder stated reasons such as mutual aid, access to resources, mentorship opportunities, and information. Several stated that they didn’t know what would motivate a prospective member to join.
Q3 Are you currently involved in any membership activities with IESMA, if so what are they? Multiple Choices
The vast majority stated none. Others stated membership, training, Election, Political, EMAT, IPEM Review and Summit
Q4 during your time with IESMA what membership activities have had the greatest value to you? Essay
Most stated the IESMA Conference, the second most selected option was no activities, others stated, networking, legislative updates, EMAT, Political, and Committees.
Q5 Would you like opportunities to be more involved with fellow IESMA members by attending additional events/activities? Multiple Choices
Q6 what types of events/activities would be the most beneficial to you? Multiple Choices
Opportunities to share best practices regarding current topics, such as EOP development, Opportunities to participate on an Exercise design team that benefits you and other communities. Information regarding upcoming seminars, studies, topics of interest from throughout the region.
Q7 what image do you believe the Public Safety community has of IESMA? Does it have one? Essay
The vast majority stated it doesn’t have one; the second most common was unable to answer, followed by a negative image.
Q8 Are there any concerns or suggestions regarding membership that you would like to address at this time? Multiple Choices
The majority stated concerns with the Membership Dues Notification System, and that the association should be about helping others get ahead, not what we can try to do to get ahead. A tier membership system was recommended, and desire for more member acknowledgement.
March is Severe Weather Preparedness Month!
MARCH IS SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS MONTH IN ILLINOIS!
Severe Weather Facts
• Illinois ranks fifth in the U.S. for the most tornadoes per square mile.
• On average, 50 tornadoes occur each year in Illinois.
• There were 50 tornadoes reported in Illinois in 2017, which resulted in three fatalities, 17 injuries and more than $12 million in property damage.
• Straight-line winds and downbursts from a severe thunderstorm can cause more damage than nearly 75 percent of the tornadoes that occur in Illinois.
• Lightning is to blame for more than 100 deaths in Illinois since 1960.
• Flooding has been a factor in 49 deaths in Illinois since 1995 – more than the number of fatalities caused by tornadoes during the same period.
• Many flood-related rescues, injuries and fatalities have been the result of people in vehicles attempting to drive across flooded roads.
IEMA Urges People to Prepare for Severe Weather
IEMA PIO 
IEMA, IESMA Sponsor Online Weather Alert Radio Contest in March
SPRINGFIELD – As recent widespread flooding demonstrates, severe weather can happen any time of the year. To help people prepare for weather emergencies, IEMA and local emergency management agencies will be promoting Severe Weather Preparedness Month throughout March.
“We want to make sure families have a plan in advance, just in case they’re ever impacted by severe weather,” said IEMA Acting Director Jennifer Ricker. “Throughout the month of March, we’ll help people understand where they should take shelter, the importance of having a family communications plan, and what should be included in their preparedness kit.”
IEMA and the Illinois Emergency Services Management Association (IESMA) are also sponsoring an online contest that offers Illinois residents a chance to win a weather alert radio. The “Weather Alert Radios Save Lives” contest will be available on the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov through March 31.
A total of 100 weather alert radios will be awarded to randomly selected participants who register after reading information about the radios and successfully completing a five-question quiz​. Winners will be notified in April. The radios were purchased by IESMA to increase the use of the devices throughout Illinois.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather alert radios can be programed to sound an alarm and provide information when a weather warning has been issued for your county. Other ways to receive severe weather warnings include Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), weather alert apps, TV and radio broadcasts, the Internet, outdoor warning sirens and more.
“Standing among the ruins of their Saline County home, a man, woman and their infant child told me they were thankful for the precious time their NOAA weather alert radio gave them to take shelter,” said McHenry County Emergency Management Director and IESMA Board Member David Christensen, referring to the Feb. 29, 2012, pre-dawn tornado that struck Saline County. “Those three lives saved convinced me of the value of these radios.”
A Severe Weather Preparedness Guide, which provides tips on how to prepare for weather emergencies is available on the Ready Illinois website. Additional tips and information are
Available on the Ready Illinois Facebook Page ( www.facebook.com/ReadyIllinois) and Twitter Page ( twitter.com/ReadyIllinois).
"Please keep in mind, if there are flooded roads it is very simple, don't drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don't Drown,” said Chris Miller, warning coordination meteorologist with the NWS office in Lincoln. “Nearly all of the people who have died in floods across Illinois were in |
