From the Illinois Terrorism Task Force in the Office of Homeland Security
SPRINGFIELD – A nationwide initiative that started shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks to increase local disaster preparedness has proven popular in Illinois, where 115 jurisdictions have adopted the Citizen Corps program. This week, nearly 100 representatives from several local Citizen Corps councils throughout Illinois are in Springfield for a two-day conference to learn how they can strengthen their volunteer preparedness and response programs. The Illinois Citizen Corps Council Conference is sponsored by the Illinois Terrorism Task Force (ITTF).
“Last year in Illinois, we had numerous disasters, ranging from record or near-record flooding in dozens of counties, to ice storms, blizzards, and even an earthquake,” said Andrew Velasquez III, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). “Citizen Corps members from several of the local councils played important roles in response efforts. We’re very fortunate in Illinois to have so many citizens who are ready, willing and able to help out when a crisis arises.”
The Citizen Corps program began in 2002 as a way to bring volunteers and first responder organizations together to help communities better prepare for, and respond to, all types of emergencies. Today there are more than 2,300 local Citizen Corps councils throughout the U.S. The Illinois Citizen Corps Council, an ITTF committee, provides support for local councils through training and education.
During the statewide conference Tuesday and Wednesday at the Hilton in Springfield, Citizen Corps members will hear from more than a dozen speakers on topics ranging from using Citizen Corps volunteers during disasters, to family emergency preparedness training, to programs at the state and federal levels that can support their efforts. One speaker, Mark Sloan from Harris County, Texas, will share his experiences dealing with sheltering nearly 200,000 evacuees following Hurricane Katrina.
For more information about the Illinois Citizen Corps program, visit the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov/citizencorps.
Showing posts with label disaster. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disaster. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Governor Quinn Announces Nine Southern Illinois Counties Will Receive Federal Aid for Ice Storm Recovery
From the Office of Governor Pat Quinn
METROPOLIS – On Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at the Metropolis Community Center, 900 West 10th St., Governor Pat Quinn will formally announce that President Barack Obama has approved the state’s request for federal assistance for nine southern Illinois counties that were damaged by a severe winter storm in January.
“This ice storm was devastating to southern Illinois,” said Governor Quinn. “It is very reassuring, especially during these tough economic times, to know these nine counties will receive federal financial assistance so that southern Illinois can continue to move forward with the recovery process.”
Earlier this year, Governor Quinn issued a state disaster declaration for Alexander, Gallatin, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline and Union counties. All of those counties are included in the federal disaster declaration, which allows local governments, municipally-owned utilities and electric power cooperatives to recover 75 percent of expenses associated with the ice storm.
“January’s ice storm dealt a tough blow to a part of southern Illinois that experienced another ice storm and major flooding in the past year,” said Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) Director Andrew Velasquez III. “This federal declaration is great news because it will help these counties recoup much of their response and recovery costs related to the storm.”
Assessment teams with the IEMA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) met with officials in the affected areas and determined the costs incurred for response and recovery from the storm could add up to more than $16 million.
Quinn will be joined by mayors, county officials and emergency service representatives from the nine counties, as well as IEMA Director Andrew Velasquez.
METROPOLIS – On Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at the Metropolis Community Center, 900 West 10th St., Governor Pat Quinn will formally announce that President Barack Obama has approved the state’s request for federal assistance for nine southern Illinois counties that were damaged by a severe winter storm in January.
“This ice storm was devastating to southern Illinois,” said Governor Quinn. “It is very reassuring, especially during these tough economic times, to know these nine counties will receive federal financial assistance so that southern Illinois can continue to move forward with the recovery process.”
Earlier this year, Governor Quinn issued a state disaster declaration for Alexander, Gallatin, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline and Union counties. All of those counties are included in the federal disaster declaration, which allows local governments, municipally-owned utilities and electric power cooperatives to recover 75 percent of expenses associated with the ice storm.
“January’s ice storm dealt a tough blow to a part of southern Illinois that experienced another ice storm and major flooding in the past year,” said Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) Director Andrew Velasquez III. “This federal declaration is great news because it will help these counties recoup much of their response and recovery costs related to the storm.”
Assessment teams with the IEMA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) met with officials in the affected areas and determined the costs incurred for response and recovery from the storm could add up to more than $16 million.
Quinn will be joined by mayors, county officials and emergency service representatives from the nine counties, as well as IEMA Director Andrew Velasquez.
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