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 five key divisions which are comprised of a volunteer force that carry out specialized emergency response duties.

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.

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

Public Preparedness Group

The Public Preparedness Group are comprised of members interested in assisting at safety fairs and expos, speaking with visitors about the importance of disaster preparedness, before it strikes, including:

• Informing members of the public about hazards and emergencies that may affect them or their family.
• Encouraging families to develop of an emergency plan for their home and to practice and maintain their plan.
• Encourage the collection and assembly of a disaster supply kit.
• Provide information where to seek shelter from all types of hazards.
• Provide information on what to do for specific hazards.
• Provide information of the various community warning systems.

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