West Chicago Community Emergency Plan Proves Effective During Recent Storms - Preparedness Remains Top of Mind

West Chicago, Illinois: September 20, 2007 - As municipalities across the country look at their readiness plans this month during National Preparedness Month, the City of West Chicago need only look to its response to recent storms which walloped the area with gale force winds, severe lightening and torrential rains to assess the effectiveness of a community policing emergency system spearheaded almost ten years ago by then Fire Board Trustee Michael B. Kwasman. Ironically, during the recent crisis, it was again Michael B. Kwasman, this time serving as West Chicago Mayor, who called on the plan to galvanize the community to action.

Acting with speed and force equal to the storm, City leaders and staff assembled in an emergency meeting to map out strategies designed to minimize risk and damage to the community when it became clear the magnitude of the storm promised both.

For the first time since its inception in 1999, the Reverse 911 system which places calls to a specified geographic area within the county and provides residents with a pre-recorded message containing important emergency information was initiated through the Mayor's efforts working with DuPage County Sheriff John Zaruba.

Officially designated a disaster area by the State of Illinois, Mayor Kwasman and other elected officials made the rounds to individual sites, including the building on Fenton Street where 40 people were taken to the hospital following the collapse of the building's roof, and reached out to other local and state officials seeking assistance for West Chicago.

Underscoring the significance of the behind the scene role of community leaders, Senator John Milner acknowledged, "Many people don't realize the yeoman's job that was done. I applaud Mayor Mike Kwasman, all the Aldermen, community organizations and staff that worked tirelessly on behalf of the residents of the City of West Chicago."

Residents did their part as well. Following storm damage that included power outages, flooded basements and downed trees, neighbors in various subdivisions pulled together to lend their support. West Chicago Sixth Ward Alderman Rebecca Stout, who has been a leading advocate for emergency preparedness and serves as Chairwoman of the West DuPage Community Emergency Response Corp Council, was gratified by the response of people in neighborhoods who worked side by side clearing debris and restoring a sense of order to the chaos created by the severe weather. "It was very refreshing to see neighbors, many of whom didn't know one another prior to the storms, working together with a common purpose," Alderman Stout commented.

Mayor Kwasman toured various parts of the City throughout the four-day ordeal and marveled over the resilience and tenacity of entire neighborhoods. "Residents of many subdivisions worked together to clear street drains and clear tree limbs. It was one of the most tremendous displays of community response during adversity I've ever seen," he said. "The force of rain and wind may have been fierce, but not fierce enough to dampen the spirit of West Chicago."

Family emergency preparedness continues to be top of mind in West Chicago and the county, when Winfield Township Citizen Corp partners with West DuPage Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in offering seminars titled "Are You Ready" during the West Chicago Fire District Open House on Sunday, October 7, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at their 200 Fremont location. The 15-20 minute sessions will be held on the hour during the Open House. Topics covered will be the development of family emergency plans that identify supplies and response resources within the community.

For more information about CERT, visit www.citizencorps.gov.

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