The public safety community suffered a major loss this week (the followingwas issued by the Illinois State Police on June 28).

“Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Leo P. Schmitz regretfully announcesthat ISP Trooper Ryan Albin, star number 5718, was tragically killedtoday while on patrol.Today at approximately 3:10 p.m. Trooper Albin was involved in a crashon I-74 near Farmer City. Trooper Albin sustained serious injuries as aresult of the crash. At approximately 8:45 p.m., Trooper Albinsuccumbed to his injuries.“Our hearts are heavy with grief as we mourn the loss of Trooper Albin,”stated Director Schmitz. “I extend my deepest sympathy to TrooperAlbin’s family, friends and co-workers. I pray that those who cared forand loved him find the strength they need during this most difficult time.No further words can express the pain and loss we are all feeling.”Trooper Albin joined the ISP on January 8, 2006. He was assigned toDistrict 6 in Pontiace as a canine officer. Trooper Albin’s canine partner,“Biko,” was in the rear of the squadcar at the time of the crash. Biko wastransported to a local veterinarian’soffice and appears to havesustained only minor injuries.The crash remains underinvestigation. No additionalinformation is available at this time.”

Please keep the family of Trooper Albinin your thoughts and prayers. Thistragedy once again reminds us of thedangers many in public safety face ona daily basis in order to protect theresidents they serve.

1

In this issue2017 IEMA Training Summit.........................................................2

Training Enhances Partnerships for Effective Response .....................3

State Begins Review of Proposed FirstNet Plan ................................4

Legislative Initiatives Approved by General Assembly.........................4

Hometown Awards to Include Disaster Services Category ...................5

FEMA V Seminar Highlights Available Defense Support ......................5

Senior Staff Spotlight: Patti Thompson ...........................................6

Evans Attends National Meeting on Radiation Monitoring ...................6

Follow Local Fireworks Ordinances, Safety Tips................................7

Important Deadlines ................................................................7

From IEMA Director James K. Joseph

June 2017Illinois Emergency Management Agency

Illinois State Police Trooper Ryan Albin

Registration Now Open for 2017 IEMA Training SummitMore breakout sessions, dynamic general sessionspeakers and plenty of networking opportunities arejust part of what awaits you at the 2017 IEMATraining Summit, which will be held Sept. 5-7 at theBank of Springfield (BOS) Center (formerly thePrairie Capital Convention Center) in historicdowntown Springfield. The new venue name is not the only fresh aspect tothis year’s summit. The first day, Tuesday, Sept. 5, isno longer a pre-conference day. Director JamesJoseph will kick off the three-day event at 1 p.m.,followed by keynote speaker Frank DeAngelis,principal at Columbine High School during thedeadly shootings there, and a panel discussion onlessons learned from planned events, including theCubs’ World Series celebration, a Luke Bryanconcert in Effingham and a community festival inNaperville.Another first for the 2017 Training Summit is the post-summit sessions being offered on Thursday afternoon,Sept. 7, including FEMA’s four-hour course detailingprocurement requirements for services and supplieswith federal funding under a Stafford Act disasterdeclaration.Check out the full agenda and register today atwww.illinois.gov/iema.

Exhibitor Early Bird Deadlineis July 15There’s never been a better time to be an exhibitor atthe IEMA Training Summit! With the full summitbeginning on Tuesday afternoon, sponsors andexhibitors will enjoy maximum exposure to summitparticipants. The exhibition area will be directly adjacent to theregistration desk, as it was for the 2016 summit. Inaddition, this year’s Vendor Networking Reception willimmediately follow the general sessions in the MainHall on Tuesday, Sept. 5. Attendees leaving the

session will walk directly through the exhibit bootharea and be encouraged to enjoy hors d’oeuvres asthey browse the exhibits. Don’t miss out on Early Bird exhibitor prices, whichend July 15! Get more information about sponsor andexhibitor opportunities at www.illinois.gov/iema.

Memorial Wall Submissions During the annual training summit, IEMA recognizesindividuals who served in emergency managementand have passed away over the past 12 months. TheMemorial Wall memorializes those who served in anyemergency management capacity, whether paid orvolunteer. Since its inception in 2009, 112 people havebeen added to the Memorial Wall.A tribute to those on the Memorial Wall is held duringthe opening ceremonies at each training summit. Inaddition, a permanent display of the Memorial Wall islocated in the front lobby of the State EmergencyOperations Center in Springfield. IEMA currently is seeking submissions for the 2017Memorial Wall. If you know of someone who shouldbe recognized on the Memorial Wall this year,please email the deceased’s name, agency, positiontitle and a photo to doug.downey@illinois.gov byAug. 1.

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TRAININGSUMMITSEPT. 5-7

2017

2017 IEMA Training Summit

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Members of the Illinois National Guard’s Chemical,Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High-YieldExplosive (CBRNE) Enhanced Response Force Package(CERFP) recently participated in a two-day radiologicalresponse and reception center training provided by IEMA.Presentations covered radiation awareness, IEMA’sRadiological Assessment Field Team (RAFT)instrumentation, the Illinois Plan for RadiologicalAccidents (IPRA) and the role of reception centersfollowing an evacuation due to a nuclear power plantincident. Following the presentations, attendees were directedto three work stations where they received hands-oninstruction regarding personal radiation detector(PRD) and Radiation Isotope Identification Device(RIID) operation, RAFT instrumentation and personnelmonitoring for radioactive contamination. Once thework station training was completed, the attendeesobserved a portal monitor set up and a walk-throughof a mock reception center. Upon completion of IEMA’s portion of the training, theCERFP provided a demonstration of its newdecontamination trailer. On the second day, IEMA staff presented at anAmerican Red Cross conference in Springfield. Trainingincluded an overview of the State EmergencyOperations Center, the Radiological EmergencyAssessment Center, IPRA, RAFT and reception centerset up and operations, including FEMA’s roles regardingoversight and evaluation of reception centers.

After presentations concluded, CERFP used lessonslearned from the previous day’s training and set up a mockreception center in the venue. A simulated contaminatedindividual arrived at the mock reception center and movedthrough the portal monitor, removal of contaminatedclothing, decontamination and re-monitoring process. Anumber of questions from the audience led to excellentconversation and reinforced Red Cross and IEMA’spartnership and commitment to reception centers.

A CERFP member performs a contamination survey on amannequin.

CERFP staff perform operational checks of reception centerinstrumentation.

IEMA staff members demonstrate portal monitor set up.

Training Enhances Partnerships for Effective Response

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FirstNet recently provided IEMA Director JamesJoseph, as the governor-appointed single point ofcontact for the state, with access to the proposedFirstNet/AT&T plan for implementation and operationof the network within Illinois. The FirstNet Public/Privatepartnership venture is aimed at building, operatingand maintaining a nationwide broadband data networkdesigned to meet the distinct communications needsof public safety: interoperability, security, availabilityand reliability at the speed and level of efficiencyrequired by first responders.FirstNet resulted from the “Middle Class Tax Relief andJob Creation Act of 2012.” As an independentauthority within the National Telecommunications andInformation Administration of the U.S. Department ofCommerce, FirstNet is required to establish anationwide, interoperable public safety wirelessbroadband network to provide a single platform fordaily, as well as emergency and crisis, public safetycommunications use. Since 2013, representatives of the public safetycommunity from the state, county and local levels ofgovernment in Illinois have spent considerable time and

energy meeting and educating the federal FirstNet teamas to how such a network could best serve public safetypersonnel and residents of Illinois. The meetings alsoprovided the state with the opportunity to share concernsabout issues relating to system security, management,procedures, costs and other potential issues.The Illinois FirstNet team, headed by StatewideInteroperability Coordinator Joe Galvin, will perform apreliminary review of the proposed plan, with secondaryreview and discussion with emergency responders tobe conducted during three regional meetings in August. The consensus recommendation of the groupdiscussions will be forwarded to Governor Bruce Raunerfor consideration and final determination of whether thestate will opt-in and take advantage of FirstNet, or opt-out of participation in FirstNet and assume responsibilityfor building, operating and maintaining a network withinthe state that is interoperable with FirstNet.Additional information regarding FirstNet is availableat www.FirstNet.com or by contacting members ofthe Illinois team through the project website atwww.firstnet.illinois.gov.

State Begins Review of Proposed FirstNet Plan

This spring session, all six of IEMA’s legislative initiativeswere approved by both chambers of the General Assemblyand currently are awaiting the governor’s signature to beenacted into law. If signed, all of the initiatives would beeffective on Jan. 1, 2018, except for the Bio-solidsClarification bill, which would be effective immediately.

The agency appreciates the support and leadership ofSenators Pam Althoff (R-McHenry), Michael Connelly (R-Naperville), David Koehler (D-Peoria) and Sue Rezin (R-Peru) and Representatives Daniel Beiser (D-Alton),William Davis (D-East Hazel Crest), Mike Fortner (R-WestChicago), David Harris (R-Mount Prospect), Steven Reick(R-Woodstock) and Chris Welch (D-Westchester) assponsors of IEMA’s legislative agenda.

The initiatives included the following:

• IEMA Training Summit Registration Fee Allows IEMAto charge a small fee for the annual training summit ifneeded to cover expenses. (NOTE: there will not be afee for the 2017 IEMA Training Summit.)

• Bio-solids Clarification Clarifies that ExceptionalQuality biosolids are subject to the authority of IEMAas provided in the Nuclear Safety Law of 2004.

• Low-Level Radioactive Waste Task Group This groupcompleted its statutory requirements and is no longerneeded.

• Radon-Resistant Building Codes Task Force EliminationThis task force completed its statutory responsibility andcan be abolished.

• Hazardous Material Advisory Board Elimination Thisboard is duplicative of the responsibilities of the StateEmergency Response Commission and thereforeunnecessary.

• Radiologic Technologist Accreditation AdvisoryBoard Elimination Consolidates this board with theRadiation Protection Advisory Committee.

Legislative Initiatives Approved by General Assembly

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Hometown Awards to Include Disaster Services CategoryThe Serve Illinois Commission currently is acceptingapplications for the Governor’s Hometown Awardsprogram. The program recognizes those whocontributed to their community’s quality of life throughprojects that had strong volunteer support, met a needand made a definitive impact. The program includes six project categories,including disaster services. Projects such as trainingof citizens to be used in disaster preparedness,creation of a mitigation project to avoid futureflooding damage, creating a public campaign toeducate residents on what to do during a disaster,residents assisting first responders during an actualdisaster, voluntary organizations coming together tohelp residents recover after a disaster, and otheractivities that fit into the disaster realm areapplicable projects. The Hometown Awards application is available atwww.serve.illinois.gov. All applications are due onAug. 1. Additional information including a FrequentlyAsked Questions section that contains applicationinstructions, is available on the website.

The Governor’s Hometown Award previously wasadministered by the Illinois Department of Commerceand Economic Opportunity and recently transitionedto the Serve Illinois Commission.The Serve Illinois Commission believes there are manydeserving cities, counties, towns, townships andvillages that deserve to be recognized for their workwith volunteers. Please help the state recognize theseprojects by submitting an application.

FEMA V Seminar HighlightsAvailable Defense SupportSenior executives from the U.S. Department ofDefense (DoD), federal, state and local agencies andthe private sector recently participated in aNORTHCOM Defense Support to Civil Authorities(DSCA) executive seminar at FEMA Region V officein Chicago. IEMA Director James Joseph, DeputyDirector Joe Klinger and Chief of Staff Jennifer Rickerwere among those attending the two-day seminar.The seminar was aimed at providing senioremergency managers with a full understanding ofDoD capabilities to assist state and local respondersduring large-scale disasters and how DSCAoperations are coordinated with civilian leads. Theseminar provided a forum to discuss authorities,limitations, plans, procedures and command andcontrol relationships. Attendees included Region Vstate emergency management directors and adjutantgenerals, senior DoD personnel, private sectorofficials, FEMA Assistant Administrator for ResponseDamon Penn and Acting FEMA Region VAdministrator Jan Odeshoo.

An IEMA reactor specialist explains the criteria and setpoints that were used by Exelon to declare an emergencyclassification as part of the scenario for the Byron nuclearplant pre-drill on June 21.

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Someone recently commented to IEMACommunications Manager PattiThompson that she had “been aroundforever.” While that’s not completelyaccurate, Thompson has been with atleast part of the agency for nearly threedecades.A graduate of the University ofMissouri’s School of Journalism,Thompson moved to Springfield fromher hometown of Quincy soon aftercollege graduation to work for theMuscular Dystrophy Association. Shebegan working for the state of Illinois atthe Secretary of State’s office and later worked as apress secretary to state representatives in the IllinoisGeneral Assembly. In 1989, she joined the IllinoisDepartment of Nuclear Safety (IDNS), where sheserved as Director of Communications until theagency merged with IEMA in 2003. While Thompson has been IEMA’s spokespersonsince the merger, she actually was an employee of thestate Department of Central Management Serviceswithin the Illinois Office of Communication andInformation from August 2004 to December 2016. Fortwo years during that period, she was thecommunications manager for both IEMA and theOffice of the State Fire Marshal. Thompson said it was more difficult to represent theagency when her office was located in a separatefacility. While she appreciated the opportunity to getto know and learn from her colleagues from other state

agencies, Thompson said the remotelocation prevented daily interactionswith the people and programs sherepresented. She is pleased to onceagain be a full-fledged IEMA employee.In addition to serving as the agency’smedia spokesperson, Thompsonimplements the Ready Illinoispreparedness campaigns, writes andedits the monthly Inside IEMA newsletter,administers the Ready Illinois Facebookand Twitter pages, coordinates agencyprinting and graphic design requests,reviews and edits agency documents

and currently is the coordinator for the IEMA TrainingSummit planning committee. She also is the state’s leadspokesperson during activations of the StateEmergency Operations Center for emergencies.Thompson said her many years with IDNS and IEMAhave provided countless memorable experiences,some funny, such as a blow-up reactor building at theIDNS State Fair display, and some heartbreaking,including seeing homes destroyed and lives shatteredby various disasters. Thompson lives in Springfield with her husband Stu.Her older son Zane is in law school at LoyolaUniversity in Chicago, while younger son Chase livesand works in Champaign. She is active in theSpringfield Chapter of the Association of Women inCommunications, where she has served as president,treasurer, scholarship chair and on the nationalconference planning committee.

Senior Staff Spotlight: Patti Thompson

Communications ManagerPatti Thompson

Ken Evans, of IEMA’s Bureau of Nuclear Facility Safety,recently attended a symposium on the InternationalCommission on Radiation Units and Measurements(ICRU) Report 92, “Radiation Monitoring for Protection ofthe Public after Major Releases of Radionuclides to theEnvironment.” Evans was invited to attend because heserves as chairman of the Conference of Radiation ControlProgram Director’s Committee on Emergency ResponsePlanning (HS/ER-5).

The HS/ER-5 Committee works with federal partners such as

the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the FederalEmergency Management Agency and the U.S. Departmentof Energy (DOE) to ensure response to a radiologicalemergency is well integrated from the local to the federallevel. The symposium focused on sharing findings andrecommendations contained in ICRU Report 92.

Information from the symposium could be used toenhance Illinois’ radiological monitoring programs.

The symposium was held at NRC headquarters inRockville, Maryland, and sponsored by DOE.

Evans Attends National Meeting on Radiation Monitoring

State of IllinoisIllinois Emergency Management Agency

For more information on this newsletter, contact:Patti Thompson • Public Information Officer: (217) 557-4756

IOCI 17-0047 6-17 Web

August 1 stAugust 1 stJuly 15 th

Illinois ProfessionalDevelopment SeriesApplications for 2017must be postmarkedno later than Aug. 1.

Illinois ProfessionalEmergency ManagerApplications for 2017must be postmarked no

later than July 15.

All county and accreditedmunicipality annual trainingand exercise plans must besubmitted no later thanAug. 1 to their regional

offices.

Important Deadlines

Previous issues of Inside IEMA are available at:http://www.illinois.gov/iema/Info/Pages/Newsletters.aspx.

Fireworks are part of the traditions that help Americanscelebrate the summer season, especially our IndependenceDay. A joyful celebration can quickly become a painfulmemory when children and adults are injured or killed whileusing fireworks. All fireworks, by their nature, are hazardousand capable of causing injuries. Fireworks use in Illinois is regulated by the IllinoisDepartment of Natural Resources (IDNR) or the Officeof the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), depending on thetype. The Illinois Explosives Act requires that anyonewho purchases, possesses, uses, transfers, stores ordisposes of explosives, including display fireworks,must have an explosives license and explosives storagecertificate issued by the IDNR. Licensing and storage requirements administered byIDNR do not apply to Consumer Fireworks, which areregulated by OSFM and are permitted only in villages,counties and municipalities that have passed ordinancesallowing such displays. Consumer fireworks may bepurchased and displayed only by adults who haveobtained permits from their local jurisdiction. Hand-heldfireworks, including fire crackers, roman candles andbottle rockets are not approved for sale or use in Illinois.If your plans for the Fourth of July include fireworks, takethe following steps to make sure your family and friendsstay safe:• Do not allow young children to play with fireworks.Sparklers, a firework often considered ideal for theyoung, burn at very high temperatures and shouldnot be handled by young children.

• Older children should be permitted to use fireworksonly under close adult supervision. Do not allow anyrunning or horseplay.

• Set off fireworks outdoors in a clear area, away fromhouses, dry leaves or grass and other flammablematerials.

• Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies andfor pouring on fireworks that fail to ignite or explode.

• Do not try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks.Soak them with water and throw them away.• Be sure other people are out of range before lightingfireworks.

• Never light fireworks in a container, especially aglass or metal container.

• Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place. Checkinstructions for special storage directions.

• Never have any portion of your body directly over afirework while lighting.

• Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.Better yet, grab a blanket and a patch of lawn, kick backand let experts handle the show.Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!(Information for this article was obtained from the U.S. ConsumerProduct Safety Commission, National Fire Protection Association,American Pyrotechnics Association websites and the IllinoisDepartment of Natural Resources.)

Follow Local Fireworks Ordinances, Safety Tips