|
"There is nothing more important than making sure the people of our
state are safe," Blagojevich said. "During the last three years,
we've developed a comprehensive emergency and disaster response
program in Illinois, and we're proud to receive this recognition."
The Emergency Management Accreditation Program is an independent,
nonprofit organization created by more than a dozen national
organizations and federal agencies as a means of fostering
continuous improvement of emergency management program capabilities.
The organization offers a voluntary accreditation process for state,
territorial and local government programs that coordinate
preparedness and response activities for disasters, from natural or
technological disasters to terrorist acts. The process encourages
state and local governments to work toward consistent standards and
strive for continuous improvement in their emergency management
programs.
Illinois' program was reviewed by Emergency Management
Accreditation Program assessors in October 2004 and was awarded
conditional accreditation in May 2005 for meeting 40 of the 54
standards. Revisions to the state program were made, and an
additional review was conducted in December 2005, which showed that
the state's emergency management program was fully compliant with
the remaining 14 standards. During the assessments it was noted that
Illinois has a response program that is compliant with the National
Incident Management System, which is mandated by the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security. Assessors also noted that Illinois' program
provides for an extensive and comprehensive ability to respond to
affected communities and protects the lives of both citizens and
responders in emergency situations.
"We knew we had a very comprehensive emergency management program
in place, but going through the EMAP review process ensured that our
program meets these stringent national standards," said William C.
Burke, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. "After
going through this accreditation process, I know our emergency
management program is even stronger and better able to protect the
people of Illinois from natural and man-made disasters."
[to top of second column]
 |
 The Emergency Management Accreditation Program Standard is a set
of comprehensive standards that address preparedness and response
for a terrorist event or catastrophic disaster, including
multidisciplinary coordination, resource management, direction and
control, continuity of operations and continuity of government
planning, alternate operating facilities, and interoperability.
The Emergency Management Accreditation Program is the only
accreditation process for state and local emergency management.
Accredited programs must maintain compliance with the standards and
keep documentation of compliance up to date. An annual report
summarizing the maintenance experience and improvement initiatives
for the preceding year is due on the anniversary of accreditation.
Every five years, the jurisdiction must be reassessed by the
accreditation program.
Besides Illinois, other accredited programs include the states of
Arizona, Florida, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Virginia, as well
as the consolidated city and county of Jacksonville and Duval,
Florida, and the District of Columbia.
Three Illinois Emergency Management Agency employees are
certified assessors for the accreditation program, while three
others are assessor candidates. The assessors are trained in program
standards, on-site assessment procedures, assessor roles and
responsibilities, and other necessary skills. Assessors must have
state or local government emergency management experience, have
experience with emergency operations in both actual and training
situations, and be able to serve as a neutral observer. Illinois
Emergency Management Agency assessors have been involved in
assessments of seven other emergency management programs. In
addition, one assessor from the Illinois agency was recently invited
to be a member of the standards committee for the accreditation
program.
[News release from the governor's
office]
 |
