Shock. Disbelief. Loss. And tears…many tears. These are just some of theemotions visible on the faces of thousands of people recently after surgingfloodwaters wrecked havoc on their lives and homes in northern Illinois. While the impact in several communities is still being assessed, we canbe thankful there were no lives lost during this event. Flooding is oneof the leading causes of weather-related fatalities, most of which resultfrom people in vehicles attempting to drive across flooded roads. “TurnAround, Don’t Drown” is much more than a mere catchphrase – it’s anaction that could save your life and those of the ones you love. Tragically, during the New Year’s floods in 2016, more than a dozenpeople lost their lives by driving through floodwaters. We pray that wenever experience such loss of life from flooding again. Another positive is the outpouring of support from people andvoluntary organizations who rushed to offer assistance, from filling andplacing sandbags, to providing meals and respite for volunteers andresidents, to donations to help with immediate and long-term needs.Even in the darkest hours, the kindness of others giving of their time,energy and donations provides the glimmer of hope many peopleaffected by the floods needed to keep moving forward.Recovery from this flooding will takeweeks, months, even a year or longer,depending on the extent of damage. Longafter our emergency operations centershave shut down, response equipment hasbeen returned and streets have reopened,those affected by flooding still will beputting their lives back together.We can never forget that everything we dois about people. Keeping them safe.Helping them when their world collapsesaround them. While we can’t bring back thelost mementos, replace damaged personalitems or take away their pain, we can, andmust, do everything within our powers tohelp them move on from this terrible event. As always, thank you for your service tothe residents of Illinois.

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In this issueFlooding Hits Several Northern Illinois Counties.....................2

Training Summit Registration Deadline is Aug. 18..................3

2017 IEMA Training Summit Platinum Sponsor – Verizon........4

FEMA Seeks Comments on Regulatory Reform ......................4

Vinson Lectures on Sealed Source and Device Safety ............4

IEMA Receives $1.2 Million Federal Terrorism Grant .............5

Radiation Training Focuses on Medical Services....................5

Douglas County Opens New Emergency Operations Center.....6

KI Pills Available to Residents Near Nuclear Plants................6

Enjoy the Solar Eclipse with These Safety Tips ......................7

From IEMA Director James K. Joseph

July 2017Illinois Emergency Management Agency

Director Joseph listens as Susie Kuruvilla,executive director of the Gurnee Park District,discusses flood impacts to the district.

Torrential downpours of up to eight inches in some areasof northern Illinois caused widespread flooding throughoutthe region in July and led to 12 counties being proclaimedstate disaster areas.Northeastern Illinois was impacted first in mid-July afterheavy rains caused flash and river flooding in manycommunities along the Des Plaines and Fox rivers.Governor Bruce Rauner issued a state disasterproclamation for Lake, McHenry, Kane and Cook countiesto ensure continued state support to communities as theyfought back floodwaters and began the recovery process.Additional heavy rains prolonged flood levels along bothrivers and delayed recovery efforts for many communities.The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) inSpringfield was activated July 14, and operations werecontinuing at press time. Representatives from several stateagencies and other partners staffed the SEOC to coordinaterequests for state personnel and assets to help flood-impacted communities.

In addition, a State Unified Area Command (SUAC) vehiclewas deployed to Geneva in Kane County to support flood-fighting efforts. Agencies represented in the SUAC includedIEMA, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the IllinoisDepartment of Public Health, the Illinois EmergencyServices Management Association, the American RedCross and FEMA. More than 1,000 families visited a Multi Agency ResourceCenter (MARC) that was open for three days in Round LakeBeach to connect residents affected by flooding withassistance provided by community and faith-basedorganizations as well as state and local governments. Severe storms and heavy rains returned to northern Illinoisduring the week of July 17, when multiple waves ofthunderstorms with heavy rainfall in the northwestern cornerof the state triggered flash flooding and resulted in major

flooding along portions of the Rock and Pecatonica rivers.As a result, Gov. Rauner issued a state disasterproclamation for Carroll, Henry, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle,Rock Island, Stephenson and Whiteside counties.To support flood-related efforts in both areas of northernIllinois, the SEOC coordinated the deployment of severalresources, including more than 735,000 sandbags, pumps,trucks and heavy equipment for debris removal, Starcom21radios, support for emergency operations centers, anddamage assessment teams. More than 500,000 sandbagswere pre-positioned in the region to ensure quick responseto requests.A MARC was alsoestablished for two days inJohnsburg in McHenryCounty to assist flood-impacted residents.IEMA requested that countyemergency managementagencies provide initialdamage assessment datafor damages to homes aswell as expenses incurredby governmental bodies forflood response andrecovery. Once thatinformation is received, the agency will review it anddetermine whether a joint Preliminary Damage Assessment(PDA) with FEMA is warranted. Documentation from the PDAprocess will help the state determine if a request for federalassistance should be submitted.

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Flooding Hits Several Northern Illinois Counties

The state provided more than 735,000 sandbags to helpcommunities fight back floodwaters.

IEMA deployed a State Unified Area Command vehicle tofacilitate coordination of state assistance to communitiesaffected by the floods.

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Just a few weeks remainuntil the Aug. 18registration deadline forthe 2017 IEMA TrainingSummit to be held Sept. 5-7

in Springfield! Don’t miss outon this unique opportunity to

expand your knowledge, hear frompublic safety leaders, and network with approximately1,000 colleagues from throughout Illinois and acrossthe U.S.Registration has been brisk, so register soon in order toget into the breakout sessions that most interest you.This year’s summit features dynamic, thought-provoking keynote speakers, including the following:

Lessons Learned from PlannedCommunity EventsCommunities of all sizes host large-scale events, andplanning for the safety of thousands – even millions –of participants and others in the community is vitallyimportant. During this panel discussion, we’ll hearabout the city of Chicago’s planning for record crowdsthat descended on the city to celebrate the Cubs'World Series Championship from Office of EmergencyManagement and Communications Executive DirectorAlicia Tate-Nadeau; implementation of the city ofNaperville’s plan for the annual Ribfest following atragic incident, presented by Sgt. Steve Schindlbeckof the Naperville Police Department; and the city ofEffingham’s preparations for more than 16,000 peoplewho flocked to a Luke Bryan concert, presented byEffingham Emergency Management CoordinatorKim Tegeler.

National Security Significant EventsSima Merick, executive director of the OhioEmergency Management Agency, and Rick Flinn,executive director of the Pennsylvania EmergencyManagement Agency, will share their experienceshosting National Security Significant Events, includingthe 2016 Republican and Democratic nationalconventions and a papal visit.The 2017 IEMA Training Summit features 28 differentbreakout topics in four periods. Sessions cover myriadtopics of interest to professionals in emergencymanagement, law enforcement, fire services, public

health, voluntary organizations, other public safety-related fields and the private sector.

Post-Summit Session: ProcurementRequirements for Services andSupplies under FEMA Awards:Thursday, July 7, 1-5 p.m.From 2008-2014, the Department of HomelandSecurity's Office of Inspector General questioned$352.3 million in Public Assistance grant costsawarded to local governments and non-profitorganizations because they did not comply withfederal procurement standards when awardingcontracts. This training will cover mandatoryprocurement standards, methods of procurement,required contract provisions and much more, and willenable applicants to reduce common non-compliance issues that result in the de-obligation offederal disaster assistance funds. This session is amust for any governmental or non-profit organizationthat could receive federal funds following a disaster.

Sponsorship and Vendor OpportunitiesStill Available This year’s summit schedule provides maximumexposure for sponsors and exhibitors. The VendorNetworking Reception on Sept. 5 will immediatelyfollow a general session in the Main Hall, so attendeesexiting the session will walk directly through the exhibitbooth area, where they can enjoy hors d’oeuvres andbrowse the exhibits.Check out the agenda, sponsorship/exhibitoropportunities and register today athttps://iemasummit2017.pathable.com/.

Training Summit Registration Deadline is Aug. 18TRAININGSUMMITSEPT. 5-7

2017

Sima Merick Richard Flinn

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Gibb Vinson recently provided keylectures on prototype testing and qualityassurance at the U.S. Nuclear RegulatoryCommission’s (NRC) Sealed Source andDevice Evaluation Workshop (G-116) inRaleigh, North Carolina. Twenty-sixparticipants from 10 Agreement Statesand the NRC attended the workshop.Vinson, section head of the RadioactiveMaterials Section with IEMA’s Bureau ofRadiation Safety, has contributed as alecturer for the course since 1995.

In a letter thanking Vinson for participating in theworkshop, an NRC official noted Vinson provided “greatexamples and stories based on personal experiencethat greatly enhanced the value of the lectures, giving

the participants a higher degree ofunderstanding on the topics discussed.”

Personnel in the Radioactive MaterialsSection routinely perform engineering andradiation safety evaluations of radioactivesealed sources and devices distributed bylocal manufacturers to ensure they safelycontain radioactivity under normal andaccident conditions of use.

Both the NRC and Agreement States issueregistration certificates for distributors andmanufacturers within their jurisdiction. This courseensures each jurisdiction is using the latest reviewtechniques and issues evaluations that are compatiblewith the regulations and national standards.

Vinson Lectures on Sealed Source and Device Safety

FEMA Seeks Comments on Regulatory Reform

Breakout Session Wednesday, Sept. 6, 3-4 p.m.Verizon Wireless: Emergency Response

Capabilities and PreparednessThe Verizon Wireless Business Continuity and DisasterRecovery (BC/DR) program is designed to minimize theimpact of a disruption to their customers, employees,infrastructure and business operations. They accomplishthis by focusing on identifying critical functions,infrastructure and risk, implementing strategies tominimize the risk of a disruption, and developing BC/DRplans/Crisis Management Teams to recover operations inthe event of a disruption. With the ever-changing level of potential threats to theseservices and customers, Verizon continues to refineresponse and recovery capabilities. By increasing thevariety of emergency services and equipment that canbe deployed to the field, Verizon Wireless solidifies itscommitment as a viable strategic partner with firstresponse groups before, during and after an event andcontinues to be a leader in the innovation of emergencycommunications response.

In accordance with Executive Order 13777, “Enforcing theRegulatory Reform Agenda,” the Department of HomelandSecurity (DHS) formed a Regulatory Reform Task Force.The Task Force, led by DHS Deputy Secretary Elaine C.Duke, will review existing regulations, policies andinformation collections across the Department.To inform this review, FEMA is seeking public input onregulations, policies and information collections that maybe appropriate for repeal, replacement or modification.FEMA requests commenters be as specific as possible intheir remarks. Preferred details would include how, forexample, a particular regulation, policy or informationcollection imposes costs that exceed benefits or isotherwise unnecessary or ineffective.Commenters should also include any supporting data orother relevant information such as cost information. Whenreferencing an existing regulation, please provide specificcitations from the Federal Register or Code of FederalRegulations, and include comprehensive suggestionsregarding repeal, replacement or modification. AlthoughFEMA will not respond to individual comments, FEMAvalues public feedback and will give careful considerationto all input that it receives.Public comments may be made until August 14, 2017, atwww.regulations.gov, Docket ID FEMA-2017-0023.

2017 IEMA Training Summit Platinum Sponsor

Gibb Vinson

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IEMA Receives $1.2 Million Federal Terrorism Grant A federal grant totaling $1,214,024 will enable IEMAto coordinate planning, training and exercises that willenhance state and local government capability toprepare for, prevent and respond to complexcoordinated terrorist attacks (CCTA).IEMA applied in February for the competitive Programto Prepare Communities for Complex CoordinatedTerrorist Attacks Grant Program through the FederalEmergency Management Agency (FEMA). The agency’s proposal outlined a four-year plan toanalyze existing regional and statewide CCTA corecapabilities for such attacks, develop plans toaddress capability gaps, provide training tocommunity partners, conduct exercises and sharelessons learned.

IEMA Director James Joseph said a complexcoordinated terrorist attack, such as the November2015 attacks in Paris, would severely stressemergency response capabilities and have long-lasting consequences for the affected community andthe state. The multi-year project will involve several stateagencies, mutual aid partners with law enforcement,fire services and emergency management, Peoria cityand county agencies, voluntary organizations andfederal agencies.Other CCTA grant recipients include the city of Aurora,which received $1.3 million, and Chicago Office ofEmergency Management and Communications, whichreceived $699,502.

Radiation Training Focuses on Medical ServicesThirty-four staff members from Illinois Valley CommunityHospital (IVCH) in Peru, local ambulance services, IEMA,Exelon and LaSalle County recently participated inmedical services training and a related exercise insupport of the LaSalle Nuclear Power Station. In the event of a radiological release from the nuclearplant, IVCH could receive and treat patientscontaminated with radioactive material.Training activities focused on procedures for surveyingand monitoring patients using radioactive sources andinstrumentation, as well as proper methods for donningand doffing protective clothing. These skills were thentested during an exercise. Ambulance staff participatedin an evening training session.While IVCH is not part of response activities evaluated byFEMA, hospital personnel participate in training, exercisesand evaluations using the Radiological EmergencyPreparedness Program evaluation and guidance criteriato ensure they are prepared to handle the uniquechallenges of injured patients who are also contaminated.Several hospital staff members who are not involvedwith the emergency room participated in the trainingand exercise for the first time. These nurses, whoseregular work duties involve home visits with patients,posed insightful questions that drove scenarios and thein-depth procedural discussion.

While nuclear medicine personnel survey a mock patientfor contamination, nurses assess the patient’s conditionand report to a buffer zone nurse.

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On June 21, the Douglas County EmergencyManagement Agency (EMA) dedicated its newEmergency Operations Center. The Douglas CountyAnnex project began in 2011 with the vision ofproviding emergency response organizations acentral point for coordination and management ofemergencies and disasters within the county. Douglas County EMA Director Joe Victor spearheadedplanning and oversight of the six-year project. During the dedication event, Douglas CountyBoard Chairman, Don Munson noted that “todaywe have enhanced our capability to serve thecitizens of Douglas County in the most effectiveway possible, one that our citizens expect anddeserve.”

Douglas County Opens New Emergency Operations Center

Champaign County EMA Director John Dwyer, IEMA RegionalCoordinator Steve Simms and Bill Keller, retired director ofChampaign County EMA, attended the Douglas County EOCdedication.

Residents living with a 10-mile radius of the six operatingnuclear power plants in Illinois can obtain free PotassiumIodide (KI) pills under a program recently launched byIEMA. More than 60,000 homes within the EmergencyPlanning Zones (EPZs) of each plant are eligible for the pills.

IEMA obtained 215,000 pills at no cost from the U.S.Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

KI is a non-prescription drug used to protect the thyroidfrom radioactive iodine, which could be released during anuclear power plant accident. The state of Illinoispreviously distributed KI pills to residents near nuclearpower plants in 2002 and 2012.

It’s important to note that KI protects only the thyroidgland from uptake of radioactive iodine, which could bereleased during a nuclear power plant incident. Evacuationand sheltering in place are still the most effective ways toprotect the whole body from radiation exposure, whichremains the state’s top priority.

To obtain the free pills, people livingwithin the 10-mile EPZ of a nuclear power plant candownload a voucher and a list of participating pharmaciesat https://public.iema.state.il.us/KiProcessing/Ki or contactIEMA at 217-782-1326. The vouchers can be redeemedfor a two-day supply of KI for every member of thehousehold at 30 Walgreens locations, six CVS stores andfive locally owned pharmacies.

The nuclear power plants in Illinois are Braidwood, Byron,Clinton, Dresden, LaSalle and Quad-Cities.

The state also maintains a supply of KI pills for emergencyworkers in or near a contaminated area during a nuclearpower plant accident.

KI Pills Available to Residents Near Nuclear Plants

Don’t Forget to RSVP for the Wednesday Evening Event at the 2017 IEMA Training Summit. https://iemasummit2017.pathable.com

TRAININGSUMMITSEPT. 5-7

2017

State of IllinoisIllinois Emergency Management Agency

For more information on this newsletter, contact:Patti Thompson • Public Information Officer: (217) 557-4756

IOCI 18-0065 7-17 Web

Previous issues of Inside IEMA are available at:http://www.illinois.gov/iema/Info/Pages/Newsletters.aspx.

On Monday, Aug.21, a solar eclipse will be visible(weather permitting) across all of North America andwill last approximately two to three hours. Halfwaythrough the event, a brief total eclipse will be visiblewithin a roughly 70-mile-wide path from Oregon toSouth Carolina. This path will cross Southern Illinois,turning day into night and making visible the solarcorona – one of nature’s most awesome sights. The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed orpartially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solarfilters, such as eclipse glasses or hand-held solarviewers. Other materials, including sunglasses, arenot safe for looking at the sun. Make sure purchasedfilters are marked as meeting the ISO 12312-2(sometimes written as ISO 12312-2:2015) internationalstandard. Filters that are ISO 12312-2 certified not onlyreduce visible sunlight to safe and comfortable levelsbut also block ultraviolet and infrared radiation. Looking directly at the sun is unsafe except during thebrief totality phase of a solar eclipse, when the moonentirely blocks the sun’s face. Totality will only occurin the previously mentioned path and will only last oneto two minutes, so as soon as the sun begins toreappear, replace your solar viewer.Always inspect your solar filter before use; if scratchedor damaged, discard it. Read and follow any

instructions printedon or packaged withthe filter, and always supervise children using solarfilters. Never look at the uneclipsed or partiallyeclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope,binoculars or other optical device, even while usingyour eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewer — theconcentrated solar rays will damage the filter andcould cause serious eye injury. Seek expert advice from an astronomer before using asolar filter with a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or anyother optical device. An alternative method for safeviewing of the partially eclipsed sun is pinhole projection. If you plan to drive to the path of the total eclipse, beaware that approximately 200 million people live withina day's drive of this path. In addition to individualtravelers, the eclipse is likely to draw numerous groupsincluding schools, enthusiast communities and otherentities to the area. Make sure to take extra caution andbe prepared for potential travel emergencies.By following these simple rules, you can safely enjoythis solar eclipse and be rewarded with memories tolast a lifetime. (Information for this article was obtained from the NationalAeronautics and Space Administration, American AstronomicalSociety, and U.S. Department of Transportation websites.)

Enjoy the Solar Eclipse with These Safety Tips