Emergency Management Agency
About Us | Be Prepared | Be Responsible | Mission Statement | Outdoor Warning Siren System | Pandemic, Seasonal & Avian Flu
About Us
The Arlington Heights Emergency Management Agency oversees emergency/disaster planning and works closely with other local, state and federal authorities to be informed and prepared concerning matters of homeland security. In a disaster situation, the Village can access county and state resources and may be eligible for federal assistance. Emergency Management, as it exists today, emphasizes the need for a coordinated effort between all agencies as well as volunteer organizations and private businesses in the community, working together toward a common goal. That goal is to make Arlington Heights as prepared as possible to deal with the effects of natural, man made or technological emergencies or disasters. EMA are locally funded and work under the direction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through their state government. Fire Chief Glenn Ericksen is the EMA Coordinator for the Village of Arlington Heights and Charles Kramer is the Assistant EMA Coordinator. They are responsible for maintaining the Village's Emergency Operations Plan which would be relied on by all Village departments in the event of a man-made or natural disaster. In the event of such an emergency, Village resources would be coordinated with county, state and federal agencies to provide the most efficient response possible. The Arlington Heights Emergency Management Agency maintains a comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) that addresses how the Village would respond to a variety of different disaster scenarios. The EOP assigns responsibilities to each of the various departments within the Village and outlines mutual aid agreements with various local, county and state agencies. The EOP is reviewed quarterly and updated and submitted for county and state certification every two years.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Arlington Heights Emergency Management Agency is to protect the lives and property of citizens before a disaster strikes through preparedness, training and mitigation; to reduce human suffering after a disaster strikes through prompt and effective coordination of response and recovery efforts utilizing the expertise and resources of local, state and federal agencies and voluntary relief organizations.
Outdoor Warning Siren System
Since 1968 the Village has maintained an Outdoor Warning Siren System to warn residents of approaching tornadoes. As the Village has grown so has the siren system which now stands at 12 siren units strategically located throughout the Village. These sirens are activated when there is a confirmed sighting of a tornado within ten miles of the Village. The proper action is to seek shelter in a substantial structure away from windows. Monitor radio or television if available to obtain information regarding the emergency as it becomes available. Do not call 911 to seek additional information about the nature of the warning. Doing so may overload the emergency telephone lines and access may not be available to those in need with a true emergency. The warning sirens are tested on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. to insure that they are working properly.
Personal Responsibility
Everyone can do something to help make our families and our communities safer. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has produced a new program called the Ready Campaign. This program is designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies. It asks that families take steps needed to prepare for emergencies including making up an emergency supply kit, a family emergency and communication plan, and be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses. Individuals interested in more information about family or business preparedness can visit www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY. In addition, Arlington Heights has produced a booklet entitled Preparing Makes Sense - GET READY NOW which can be picked up free of charge at the Fire Department, Police Department, Senior Center, Library or Village Hall.
Preparedness Training
The Fire Department offers Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training as well as classes in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to the general public. CERT training prepares people to help their families, neighbors, friends and themselves in the event of an emergency. Sometimes, during widespread emergencies, emergency services are not always available for some time. This program helps to make people prepared to take action until help arrives. The program consists of five three-hour training sessions one night per week for five weeks, and a six-hour practical drill session on a Saturday. Arrangements can be made for either program by calling the Arlington Heights Fire Department at 847-368-5450.
Pandemic Flu
A flu pandemic is a widespread outbreak of disease that occurs when a new flu virus appears that people have not been exposed to before. Pandemics are different from seasonal outbreaks of influenza. Seasonal flu outbreaks are caused by viruses that people have already been exposed to; flu shots are available to help prevent widespread illness, and impacts on society are less severe. Pandemic flu spreads easily from person to person and can cause serious illness because people do not have immunity to the new virus and a vaccine could take from four to six months to produce. A pandemic may come and go in waves, each of which can last for months at a time. Everyday life could be disrupted due to people in communities across the country becoming ill at the same time. Disruptions could include everything from school and business closings to interruption of basic services such as transportation and health care. An especially severe influenza pandemic could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption and economic loss. During the last century there were three influenza pandemics. All were pandemics because of worldwide spread and the cause being a new influenza virus. The 1918 pandemic was especially severe, causing at least 500,000 U.S. deaths and 40 million worldwide. The 1957–1958 outbreak was moderately severe with at least 70,000 U.S. deaths and two million worldwide. The 1968–1969 outbreak was the least severe with 34,000 U.S. deaths and 700,000 worldwide.
There are things that you can do to protect yourself and your family from catching flu. All flu viruses are spread through the air when people cough or sneeze. Basic actions that may reduce the risk of getting or spreading flu include:
- Washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Avoiding large crowds whenever possible.
- Not going to work when you are ill.
- Never sending an ill child to school or day care.
- Avoiding close contact with those who are sick.
- Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise.
- Wiping a phone receiver or shopping cart handles with a sanitizing wipe before using.
During a pandemic as much as 40% of the workforce may be affected at the same time. Deliveries of groceries or pharmaceuticals may be interrupted. You can take additional steps now to make your family more secure and comfortable should a pandemic occur.
- Have an ample supply of water on hand, approximately one gallon per person per day.
- Stock sufficient food. Items such as canned soups, meats and vegetables, cereals, nutrition bars and the like will store best.
- Have a three month supply of prescription medications on hand.
- Have non-prescription items like aspirin, cough/cold medications and vitamins on hand.
- Remember items for special needs people if applicable (e.g., infants, elderly or diabetics).
The above items are precautionary and should help you prepare for any type of disaster. No one can predict the future and everyone hopes we never have to deal with a pandemic or any other disaster. However, a proactive initiative should better prepare you to meet the challenge.
Seasonal / Ordinary Flu
Seasonal flu occurs every year during the winter months and affects about 10% of the population resulting in an average of 36,000 deaths each year in the United States. There are vaccines and antiviral drugs available to treat seasonal influenza.
Avian Flu
Avian or Bird influenza does not normally infect species other than birds and pigs. Some humans have become infected after coming in close continued contact with infected birds. Since 2003, some 256 people have been infected, mostly poultry workers in Asia, resulting in 151 deaths. At the present time there are no proven cases of human-to-human transmission. The H5N1 virus is of particular concern because it could mutate into a virus that could be transmitted from human to human. Such an event would mark the beginning of an influenza pandemic. For additional information on Pandemic Flu please visit these websites: www.pandemicflu.gov www.cdc.gov www.who.int www.hhs.gov www.idph.state.il.us www.cookcountypublichealth.org For additional information on Avian Flu visit these websites: www.who.int www.avianflu.gov www.cdc.gov For additional information on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness visit these websites: www.ready.gov www.fema.gov www.state.il.us/iema www.redcross.org
www.crh.noaa.gov.