Recent StormReady Recognition

   Eight communities which are part of the Northwest Central Joint Emergency Management System (JEMS) were recently recognized as StormReady, joining two JEMS communities which had previously been recognized. StormReady is a National Weather Service (NWS) program that was started in 1999 that helps arm America's communities with the communication and safety skills needed to protect lives and property - before, during and after the event.  StormReady helps county and community leaders and emergency managers develop plans to handle all types of extreme weather—from tornadoes to winter storms.  StormReady communities are better prepared to protect lives from the onslaught of severe weather through advanced planning, education and awareness.  No community is storm proof, but StormReady can help counties and communities save lives.  

  The StormReady program recognizes communities, counties, and colleges/universities that establish exceptional severe weather preparedness plans and communications. Some of the requirements include:

• Redundant methods of receiving NWS watches and warnings
• Redundant methods of disseminating warning information to the public and county/community officials
• Methods of monitoring local weather conditions and radar
• Trained severe storm spotters
• Pubic education programs on severe weather safety and preparedness
• Annual severe weather exercises
• Communications with the local NWS office

  We congratulate the communities of Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Mount Prospect, Schaumburg, and Streamwood as newly recognized StormReady Communities!

About JEMS:

The Northwest Central Joint Emergency Management System is a cooperative effort by ten communities to provide for regional, shared Emergency Management services. There are ten communities participating in the JEMS program including:

• Arlington Heights • Buffalo Grove • Elk Grove Village • Hoffman Estates • Inverness • Mount Prospect • Palatine • Rolling Meadows • Schaumburg • Streamwood

Through the system, participating communities utilize the program staff to drive industry standards and best practices into regional planning training and exercises. From an all hazards approach JEMS staff collaborate with municipal leadership to build community-wide emergency management capabilities in all four phases of emergency management (Preparedness, Response, Recovery and Mitigation). Below is a list of some of the duties that are carried out by JEMS personnel, in collaboration with each member community:

• Maintenance and updating of each member’s Emergency Operations Plan
• Maintenance of member's Continuity of Operations Plans
• Ensuring that each member community’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is appropriately maintained and ready for immediate use
• Providing training for personnel in each of those communities on topics such as EOC operations, and assisting in developing and providing local and regional exercises
• Working with the communities to ensure that all employees are trained in the National Incident Management System as required by their positions, and that the training is documented as required by federal statutes
• Assisting members with development of Incident Action Plans for planned events, assisting with emergency planning activities, and developing Emergency Management budgets
• Attending local, regional and state planning committee meetings and serving as a liaison to state and county Emergency Management agencies

The Joint Emergency Management System considers itself an example of intergovernmental cooperation and collaboration, allowing multiple communities to have the benefits of a professional Emergency Management staff while sharing the benefits of successful practices and lessons learned

Eight suburban communities in the Northwest Central Joint Emergency Management System are recognized as StormReady.

For more information on the StormReady program, please visit https://www.weather.gov/StormReady/