Response Divisions

An integral part of Will County EMA's mission is to provide for adequate emergency response capabilities within the local community.  One of the most direct ways in which Will County EMA accomplishes this is through the coordination of specialized emergency response teams.  Within the Agency, there are four key divisions which are comprised of a volunteer force that carry out specialized emergency response duties.

Field Services Division

The Field Services division is comprised of members who perform a variety of emergency response functions for our agency.  The members of this division have a variety of backgrounds, most of whom have prior experience and service in the public safety field.  The division meets weekly and is continuously working and training to enhance its capabilities and the range of services it provides.  Some of the diverse functions this division may be tasked to provide include:

• Staffing the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) communications functions
• Severe weather (i.e. tornado) spotting
• Auxiliary communications support
• Mobile incident command center response
• EOC staff support
• Search and Rescue
• Traffic direction and control
• Mobile lighting and power
• Support to local agencies
• Special events

Search and Rescue Team

The Search and Rescue (SAR) Team is comprised of members who are trained to varying degrees in the art and science of ground search and rescue.  The team trains monthly in a wide variety of theoretical and practical subject areas.  The team is comprised of members who are trained in at least one or more of the following categories:

• Ground search and rescue
• Search management
• Search planning
• K-9 search and rescue
• SAR mission overhead support team

All members of the team are trained and certified in the ground search and rescue function.  This includes training in search tactics, theory, operations, and lost person behavior, as well as outdoor skills, rescue, survival, navigation, and other necessary skills.

Special Hazards and Operations Team

The Special Hazards & Operations Team (SHOT) consists of members trained in the response to hazardous material (HazMat) incidents.  These highly trained personnel respond to assist local fire departments in handling complex chemical spills and releases.  Our team is rather unique in that it not only includes members from the fire service, but also a large number of individuals from private industry, who have everyday "hands on" experience working with hazardous materials in an industrial setting. Our team has responders trained at the operations, technician, specialist, and incident command levels.  We are a level "A" team, and are capable of responding to a full range of chemical, biological, and nuclear incidents.  The S.H.O.T. is the designated HazMat team for MABAS Division 15.

Emergency Operations Center Support Staff

In the event that the EOC is fully activated, all County Departments and some additional emergency response agencies will all be represented in the EOC.  The members of the EOC Support Staff come in and help to staff the EOC so that it may fulfill its functions.  These members represent a variety of backgrounds, and represent their particular field or discipline while on duty in the EOC.

Volunteers

Our Agency would not be able to fulfill its mission without the hard work and dedicated service of volunteers.  Our unpaid professionals contribute countless hours in order to serve their fellow citizens, and make Will County a safer place to live.  We are always interested in speaking to local citizens who share our dedication to community service.  If you feel that your time and skills might be useful to our Agency, and would like to explore the volunteer opportunities available with our Agency, please visit our How To Become A Volunteer page.

If you have any questions, or would like further information on the Field Response Divisions, please contact our office.