The Island Lake Emergency Management Agency
The Island Lake Emergency Management Agency is the local
level of the other government emergency management agencies, which include Lake & McHenry county, the State if Illinois (IEMA) & the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Island Lake EMA is
responsible for seeing that the village officials & departments are prepared to respond to disasters of any magnitude. In cooperation with all village departments & the Wauconda Fire Dept., EMA drafted an Emergency Operations Plan which details how the village would respond to a disaster. The board room in the village hall has been designated and equipped as the Emergency Operations Center from which all response efforts would be coordinated.
EMA meets the 4th Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the village hall. Any resident may join EMA and/or is welcome to attend the meetings. For more information on EMA membership or activities contact
Coordinator Connie Mascillino at 847-526-5049.
EMA NEWS
Just like the tulips popping
out of the ground, another sure sign of spring is rain. Unfortunately, this
rain is not always the gentle spring rain Gene Kelly danced through. March to
June is severe storm/tornado season in the Midwest -there are an average of 32
tornadoes per year in Illinois. The Island Lake EMA is responsible for seeing
that the village as a whole is prepared in the event of a tornado but there is
no way we can know what the specific needs of your household are. Now is the
time to think about what your family should do and what your family needs when
severe weather strikes. Decide where your family would seek shelter when the
outdoor warning sirens sound (there are 5 in Island Lake). The basement is the
safest place and if your residence doesn’t have a basement, an interior room is
best. If your home is damaged, the roads are blocked by debris, utilities are
out, or someone is your household is injured, you would need to care for
yourself and your family until help arrives. The only way to adequately do this
is to have an emergency supplies kit ready beforehand. In a bag or backpack
gather up bottled water, a flashlight & batteries, a blanket, non perishable
food, a first aid kit, and any supplies that are specific to your family such as
medications, pet supplies, or baby needs. The Island Lake EMA will help you
assemble a kit or the website
www.Ready.gov will provide valuable information.
March is “Disaster Preparedness Month” for the Village of
Island Lake!
Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can
force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What
would you do if basic services-water, gas, electricity or phone were cut
off? Emergency workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they
cannot reach everyone right away.
Families can and do cope with disaster by preparing in
advance – knowing what to do is your best protection!
Every family should have an emergency supplies kit in a
accessible place that Includes: water, battery operated radio, flashlight &
batteries, non perishable foods, and any supplies specific to your family
such as baby supplies or medication.
Assembling your kit couldn’t be easier! You can get
everything you need at Island Foods & True Value – both stores have displays
featuring the items and preparedness information.
If you want more information on assembling a emergency
supplies kit , disaster preparedness, or what the Village of Island Lake
Emergency Management Agency is doing to make certain the village is prepared
for disasters, call 526-5049.
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