Tuesday, November 15, 2011
 
sponsored by

Earthquake preparedness exercise to begin

Send a link to a friend

[November 15, 2011]  SPRINGFIELD -- More than 100 state and local agencies and emergency response organizations will participate in a three-day exercise to test plans for dealing with a catastrophic earthquake in southern Illinois. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is coordinating the exercise, which begins Tuesday morning and will conclude Thursday afternoon.

"While we have considerable experience responding to the disasters we frequently face, such as tornadoes, floods and blizzards, a major earthquake would definitely present unique challenges," said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. "This exercise will give us an opportunity to test our earthquake plans and identify any issues we need to address to enhance our preparedness."

Monken said the state's earthquake exercise was originally planned to coincide with the federal exercise in mid-May. However, with the state of Illinois and several counties in southern Illinois dealing with major flooding this spring, the state's portion of the exercise was rescheduled for November.

While the scenario isn't revealed prior to the exercise, participants know they will be tasked with implementing existing plans and procedures for dealing with a catastrophic earthquake occurring in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, located in southwestern Illinois. The exercise is a functional exercise, meaning most activity will occur inside emergency operations centers and other facilities and won't be visible to the public.

Counties participating in the exercise are Calhoun, Crawford, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Jersey, Lawrence, Madison, Monroe, Perry, Pope, Randolph, Richland, Saline, St. Clair, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White and Williamson. In addition, the cities of Carbondale, DuQuoin, Fairview Heights, Granite City Metropolis and Mount Vernon, as well as 16 state agencies, two federal agencies, six mutual aid organizations, three nongovernmental organizations, 28 public health departments and 32 hospitals are taking part in the drill.

[Text from Illinois Emergency Management Agency  file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]

< Top Stories index

Back to top


 

News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching and Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries

Community | Perspectives | Law and Courts | Leisure Time | Spiritual Life | Health and Fitness | Teen Scene
Calendar | Letters to the Editor