Severe Weather Preparedness Week
There are a number of severe weather hazards that affect Illinois, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, floods and flash floods, damaging winds and large hail, snow and ice. Severe weather hazards have the potential to cause extensive property damage, injury and/or death.
In 2006, Severe Weather Preparedness week had ended one day before the tornadoes touched down in Springfield.
In order to assist the people of Illinois to be better prepared in case of severe weather, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), works together with the National Weather Service and the American Red Cross to promote weather preparedness through public awareness campaigns. These goals are reached through press releases, media coverage and publication of a booklet containing information regarding safety measures, warning signs, historical data and contact information. The Severe Weather Preparedness document can be found here.
During the first week of March containing a Tuesday, the Severe Weather Preparedness campaign is promoted. This preparedness week is promoted in conjunction with the state-wide tornado drill. Read the Severe Weather Preparedness week press release.
For information on severe winter weather, click here.
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IEMA Partners with Amateur Radio Operators
A newly forged partnership between amateur radio operators throughout the state and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) will provide an additional layer of emergency communications during disasters. The agreement creates the State Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) program, which will facilitate communications between the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and the amateur radio operators in Illinois. The agreement further strengthens the state's federally approved State Communications Interoperability Plan, which includes several layers of redundant communications systems. Click here to read more.
Studies regarding risks of computed tomography (CT) scans
Recent news coverage of the use of computed tomography (CT) and the resultant patient radiation dose may cause concern for individuals whose medical conditions may require such imaging procedures. There are 438 CT facilities in Illinois and all are inspected by IEMA's Bureau of Radiation Safety each year. The inspection reviews physical characteristics of the x-ray beam, including a dose measurement, and quality assurance (QA) programs, which ensure the machine is operating according to the manufacturers' specifications. The results of our inspections show a very high level of compliance for these facilities. In addition to IEMA's inspection, each facility must perform QA procedures on a regular schedule and address the performance of the machine with regard to image quality.
We encourage patients to be cognizant of their personal radiation dose and to discuss with their physician the risk versus benefit of all procedures involving the use of radiation.
Please visit the Agency's website for more information on the "Image Gently" campaign to lower pediatric radiation dose and news regarding CT brain perfusion scans.
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Don Agnew, Manager, Electronic Products Section, at 217-785-9975.
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Electronic Renewal Notification for Medical Radiation Technologists
Beginning in January 2010 (for February renewals), the Agency will implement a new electronic notification system for renewal of technologist accreditations. In an effort to reduce our environmental impact as well as costs, we will only send a paper renewal form to technologists that do not have an email address on file with the Agency. If an electronic renewal notice is received, technologists will have the option of printing out the renewal form to mail with a check, or being directed to the Agency's on-line renewal system (which requires a valid checking account).
Technologists wishing to examine their current email address, or add/change/delete an email address, may do so by accessing the Medical Radiation Technologist Services log-in screen or by contacting the Agency's technologist accreditation section at 217-785-9913.
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Flu seasons are unpredictable in a number of ways, including the timing of the beginning, severity and length. This flu season there are more uncertainties than usual because of the emergence of a new flu virus, H1N1, previously called "swine flu." Scientists are predicting that the H1N1 virus may cause the flu season to be worse than usual with a lot more people getting sick, being hospitalized and dying than during a typical flu seasonal. Click on the above H1N1 flu or seasonal flu logo on this page for the most up-to-date information and to learn about ways to protect yourself and your family from getting ill. Thank you for visiting ready.illinois.gov.
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www.Flu.gov - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Influenza website |
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Illinois Agreement State Program receives high marks following review by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
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The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently conducted a comprehensive review of the Illinois Agreement State Program. The review, using the criteria outlined in the NRC Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP), was performed by a five-person team from May 11-15, 2009. The review team found Illinois' performance to be satisfactory for all of the various performance indicators. This is the highest finding allowed by IMPEP. The review team made one recommendation in regard to program performance by the State and also identified one good practice that will be shared with all other Agreement States and NRC regions. Based on the results of the current IMPEP review, the next full IMPEP review will take place in approximately four years.
According to IEMA Director Andrew Velasquez III, "The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is very pleased with the results of the NRC review of its program and will continue to ensure Illinois has the highest quality radioactive materials regulatory program for the protection of Illinois citizens and the environment."
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Illinois' Homeland Security Program Rated in Top 4 Percent in Nation
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Governor Pat Quinn announced that Illinois' homeland security program ranked in the top four percent of state programs in a recent review of program effectiveness by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Illinois received an overall effectiveness score of 91 out of 100. The national average effectiveness score was 71.
FEMA scorecard gives Illinois program exceptional marks for effectiveness...read full press release
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