 With the escalation of global terrorism, countries have been banding
together more now than ever to share measures that are being taken
to protect citizens. Planners say that practicing for a response to
terrorism is a practical thing to do, as communities need the same
emergency response and recovery actions whether it is for an act of
terrorism, a natural disaster, hazard or accident. Also, local
responders would be the first on the scene.
Illinois, being identified with New York as the top two states in
preparedness, has been partnered with Poland in sharing emergency
response information. Last year a contingent that included
representatives of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency went to
Poland to participate in their preparedness activities.
On Wednesday, the Illinois Terrorism Task Force held the largest
full-scale exercise on weapons of mass destruction, and it was on
the grounds of the former Lincoln Developmental Center. The event
featured a number of disaster scenarios that called for numerous
different agencies to work together. Helicopters were even brought
in. The Illinois State Police and their tactical team led the
highest technical rescue in the state and in the country.
The events were concluded on Thursday morning, and then
participants were invited to Springfield for a debriefing and review
of the exercise. Dan Fulscher, director of the Logan County EMA, was
invited to join other state leaders in the afternoon "hot wash" that
followed.
During the concluding question time, the Polish contingent
expressed interest in knowing more details about how Illinois'
technology and communication systems work. They had seen how ILEAS
(law enforcement) and MAVIS (mutual aid) integrate law enforcement,
fire and rescue information, and response.
All fingers instantly pointed to Fulscher, and the Polish were
told, "Talk to him." While the smallest, Logan County has the newest
communications system room in Illinois.
The visitors were scheduled to tour the largest 911 emergency
call center, located in Chicago, on Friday afternoon.
On Friday morning the Polish contingent was welcomed to the Logan
County Emergency Operations Center by Terry Carlton, county board
chairman. In addition to Logan County EMA staff and 911 dispatchers,
Lincoln Police Chief Stuart Erlenbush, who led the formation of the
Illinois Terrorism Task Force just after 9/11, and Logan County
Sheriff Steve Nichols were also on hand to answer questions on how
the emergency response works locally.
The visitors had plenty of questions as their tour progressed
through the different rooms for a firsthand experience of the
center. In dispatch they asked, "Who decides what assistance gets
sent out?"
Fulscher explained that dispatchers go through extensive
training, but the decisions are mostly pre-decided in accordance
with regulations and the type of incident. The Illinois Department
of Public Health requires that advanced life support must be sent to
certain situations involving injury or health-related incidents. It
can take three to four people to aid in a full-blown heart attack,
he said. There also need to be enough personnel present to handle
lifting a large person, which can take four to five people. A number
of firemen are EMTs, and they are often able to be on the scene
quickest to get medical assistance started while waiting for
paramedics who can start meds and have advanced equipment in the
ambulance. So, firemen are usually on all call-outs for an
ambulance, and often law enforcement is added.
Besides Lincoln, Mount Pulaski and Atlanta also have emergency
medical service separate from fire service.
Every area of Logan County is
covered by the five types of response:
-
Law enforcement
-
Ambulance
-
Rescue
-
Fire
-
Extrication
The visitors were especially interested in DrunkStoppers, the
newest program offered through the sheriff's department. Anyone can
call or even e-mail tips anonymously if they suspect that someone is
or may drive drunk. The department is already seeing results from
this program.
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Federal funding acquired under former U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood has been
used to totally renovate the Logan County 911 dispatch center. It
has been a three-year process, performed in stages in conjunction
with funding, and is nearing completion.
The system's capabilities have been magnified by integrating the
latest in computer-aided technologies. The state-of-the-art facility
will soon be capable of providing "E-911," an enhanced call service.
In the coming months dispatchers will actually be able to see the
location of a caller. Even cell phone calls will be seen and
pinpointed to within six feet of the source. The system does this by
using the new Logan County GIS map and other technologies.
While touring the facility the visitors were awed by a live
demonstration in the dispatch room when they were told to call 911.
It was an amazing moment when the dispatcher's screen narrowed in to
become an actual picture of the building the delegates were standing
in, and the screen showed six call lights coming from it.
The E-911 technology is not fully ready to implement yet but will
be soon. Knowing the exact location of an incident will aid greatly
in response time in some instances. Additionally, the photo that
includes the surrounding area will help dispatchers recognize if
additional services might be needed to protect nearby citizens or
property.
Fulscher gives high praises to Curt Schleich from Computer
Consulting Associates for his work in designing the system. Fulscher
and other emergency managers from around the state have marveled at
how Schleich was able to integrate software from several systems
that serve law enforcement, fire and emergency management with the
latest hardware and make it run so smoothly. The system is also
incredibly fast.
The project has been recognized statewide as an impressive feat
since the day it first went live in November 2007. It was considered
an even greater success when, on the third day up, an ice storm
struck that put the new extra station into play. The center had an
enormous number of calls, breaking previous records, due to numerous
accidents and power outages. Surprisingly, no calls were dropped or
lost due to equipment.
The visitors said that in Poland, 114 is the number for citizens
to call in an emergency.
The group was escorted by the Illinois National Guard, with Col.
Swinford in charge of their protection. Logan County gave them token
gifts: EMA and 911 kids' coloring books, flashlights, and emblem
patches.
[By
JAN YOUNGQUIST]
About DrunkStoppers: The current focus is on underage drinking
parties, fake IDs and illegal sales of alcohol. You can anonymously
report a drunk driver by calling 1-866-479-2857 or
e-mail a tip to
the Illinois State Police at
http://www.drunkstopper.com/.
Past related articles
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