Every day Illinois residents face natural, technological, chemical and manmade hazards that can potentially become disasters. Even though the probability of you or your family being injured or killed in a disaster is very low, it is extremely probable that your lives will be impacted. Utilities may be interrupted for hours or even days; your home, workplace, or school may be damaged or destroyed; roads and highways may be closed; and stores may be closed due to damage or have shortages of the items you need. For these reasons, it is extremely important for you to prepare in advance for disasters. The following links provide valuable information on how to ensure you and your family are ready for any disaster or emergency you may face.
Even though it has been more than seven years since the tragedies of Sept. 11, 2001, the threat of terrorism is ever-present, requiring Illinois residents to be constantly aware of their surroundings and any suspicious activity. This section provides important information on terrorism preparedness.
The goal of the State Emergency Response
Commission (SERC) is to promote chemical emergency preparedness and prevention
throughout the state of Illinois. The SERC, through implementation of emergency
planning and community right-to-know laws and through establishment and support
of its Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC's), assists in chemical
emergency planning, provides public access to chemical data, raises public
awareness of chemical risks and encourages public participation in local
chemical safety issues. Click here for SERC.
The Ready Illinois website provides comprehensive information on steps to take before disasters or emergencies happen, what to do once a disaster has occurred, and tips for recovery after the event. In addition, during a large-scale disaster, current information about the situation and details about such things as shelters and road closures are posted on the site to help individuals access important information.
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