Emergency Management Agency

Northbrook Emergency Management Agency

Think Prevention – Think Preparedness

The Village of Northbrook's Emergency Services Disaster Agency (ESDA) was established by local ordinance in 1988. In July 2008, the Village of Northbrook, based on the present practice of State and County agencies, passed an ordinance to designate themselves as an "Emergency Management Agency" (EMA) to reflect the function and purpose of such agencies that were previously called ESDA.

State certification as a local Emergency Management Agency (EMA) requires not only an approved operational plan, but also requires certain contingencies for man-made or natural disasters. The existence of pre-plans allows Northbrook to mobilize and coordinate major emergency operations without waiting for state assistance or direction. Preplanning for emergencies may substantially influence the impact of the incident on the community.

April 10, 2009, the Cook County Emergency Management Agency presented the Village with County Certification of its Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).  The Northbrook Plan is in compliance with State and County Requirements and reflects current village information regarding Emergency Support Functions. The Village of Northbrook’s Emergency Operation Plan conforms to Homeland Security Presidential Directives, Illinois Emergency Management Agency regulations and Federal Emergency Management Agency policies.  Northbrook is one of only 40 municipalities who have had their EOP certified by the County. (There are 129 municipalities in Cook County.)  

Preparation for major emergencies and disasters requires contingency planning not only on the part of the Principal Elected Officer (Village President) and Emergency Management Agency Coordinator (Fire Chief), but by all departments and agencies of the Village of Northbrook, including those that may require the assistance and support from the county, state and federal governments.  All elected officials of the Village may be asked to report to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), located in the lower level of the headquarters fire station (740 Dundee Road) during a local disaster to make necessary emergency policy decisions.

OUTDOOR WARNING SYSTEM

One example of contingency planning is the Outdoor Warning System installed within the confines of the Village. This system consists of six strategically placed sirens designed to warn citizens of emergent situations, tested on the first Tuesday of every month at 10:00 a.m. according to state recommendations.  The system will be used predominantly for weather emergencies, but may also be used for national security events.  Monthly siren testing is just one element of the Village's commitment to emergency preparedness.

Since installation in 1992, Village employees and representatives from local schools, businesses and surrounding communities have been invited to participate in training programs presented by the National Weather Service. The class, specifically for employees who most likely would be outdoors in the course of their duties, focuses on recognizing the early signs of severe weather.

AUTO DIALER - COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION TOOL

The Village of Northbrook’s High Speed Telephone Notification System (Auto-Dialer) is a stand-alone warning system, communicating essential information from the Village. The Auto-Dialer is capable of quickly making a large volume of geographically-targeted telephone calls to deliver a recorded message.  Under optimum conditions, the Auto-Dialer will make approximately 1,400 calls per hour based on a 45-second message, using 22 local phone lines, and 8,000 calls per hour using the “One-Call” 1,000 external long distance lines.  Residential hard-line telephone number data are updated bi-annually based on the 911 Master Street Addressing Guide (MSAG).

NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (NIMS)

On March 1, 2004, the Department of Homeland Security published the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to enable Federal, State, tribal, and local governments, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together to prepare for, prevent, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents, regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity, in order to reduce the loss of life, property, and harm to the environment. This consistency provides the foundation for utilization of NIMS for all incidents, ranging from daily occurrences to incidents requiring coordinated Federal response. The NIMS was updated in 2007 based on input from stakeholders at every level within the nation’s response community and lessons learned during recent incidents. A critical tool in promoting the nationwide implementation of NIMS is a well-developed training program that facilitates NIMS training throughout the nation. Closely related to the training, core competencies will form the basis of the training courses’ learning objectives and personnel qualifications that validate proficiency.”   

NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to enable Federal, State, tribal, and local governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to work together to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents, regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity. All line fire, police, and public works personnel meet or exceed the National Incident Management System (NIMS) requirements for the Department of Homeland Security by completing ICS-100 Introduction to Incident Command, ICS-200 Basic Incident Command, ICS-700 NIMS an Introduction, and ICS-800 National Response Plan.  All Command staff, Captain and above completed ICS-300 Intermediate Incident Command and ICS-400 Advanced Incident Command NIMS training. 

For More Information:

National Organization on Disability's Emergency Preparedness Initiative

Outdoor Warning System

Severe Weather Preparedness

National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center

Illinois Homeland Security Rated in Top 4% of Nation

Emergency Preparedness Guide

FEMA's Business Continuity and Disaster Preparedness Planning Guideline (Sample)

Federal Aid Programs For Illinois Disaster Recovery

National Incident Management System (NIMS)