Streator Proposes Emergency Plan Changes After Tornado Review
First revision since 2012 addresses emergency communications, coordination and donations.
STREATOR — Streator's updated emergency plan calls for more radio training for first responders, sets City Hall as the city's emergency hub and shifts donation handling to the county, after a review of the June 11 tornado response.
Fire Chief Bryan Park described the changes as minor.
“The review was very positive with minor changes discussed,” Park said in an email to The Streator Standard.
The LaSalle County Emergency Management Agency organized the review, which was held July 20 at the fire department's training center. Emergency managers from Will County and Naperville moderated it.
All agencies involved in the tornado response attended, Park said.
The first change calls for more training on radio interoperability, which allows responders from different agencies to communicate during emergencies. Park said radio traffic the night of the tornado was effective.
“Further understanding and training will now make for clearer communication,” he said.
Second, the plan sets the City Hall council chambers as the city's emergency operations center. Park said the chambers worked well as the hub for city services, county help, utility companies and relief groups after the tornado.
The backup location is the fire station at 108 N. Wasson St.
In July, Park told The Streator Standard that the group met each morning for 10 days after the storm to set priorities.
The third change involves donations. Park said the community's support after the tornado was “incredible,” and the city is thankful for the local groups that helped.
Going forward, the city will rely more on the county emergency management agency to handle donations, he said.
The plan calls for an annual emergency exercise to test how the city directs and coordinates a response. An actual disaster can take its place.
The plan was last approved in 2012. In a memo to the council, Park wrote that it was due for an update before the tornado.
The updated plan, dated Sept. 21, also covers warnings, evacuations, shelter and volunteers.
Emergency warnings would go out mainly through the local radio station and the Nixle alert system, which runs through VCOM.
The county agency would also register and coordinate volunteers who show up after a disaster. The plan says the city does not have the staff to do that alone.
The American Red Cross would lead shelter and feeding efforts for people forced from their homes.
City staff recommends putting the plan into effect immediately once the council approves it. The memo lists no cost.
The council will discuss the plan at its 7 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting Wednesday at City Hall, 204 S. Bloomington St. A vote is not scheduled at the special council meeting that follows.
