Cook County Assists Municipalities with Flood and Disaster Preperation

One year ago, municipalities around Cook County were devastated by flooding. The Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) worked with area first responders and emergency managers to help communities respond to and recover from the effects of the floods. 

The DHSEM wants to ensure that area mayors, managers, fire and police chiefs and other municipal partners are aware of the resources the department can provide in the event of flooding and any other emergency. The department is hosting an open house at its Emergency Response Center (ERC) in Oak Forest for these local officials to strengthen current partnerships and grow new ones. More than 50 officials are expected to attend the open house. 

The department will showcase equipment – such as generators, water pumps, light towers and Humvees – municipalities can use in the event of an emergency. 

“You don’t want to meet your municipal partners for the first time during an incident,” said Michael Masters, executive director of the DHSEM. “This event is just one of the many activities we undertake to meet with critical personnel throughout the county and work together to enhance our regional capabilities.” 

Masters says the DHSEM works with communities that need assistance so they are able to utilize the department’s resources to the fullest extent necessary: “The ultimate goal is to keep county residents and property safe and secure.” 

Media are invited to attend the open house: 

WHEN:
Thursday, April 24 
Noon – 1 p.m. 

WHERE:
DHSEM ERC South 
15900 S. Cicero Ave. 
Oak Forest 
(Enter the complex at 159th St. between S. Cicero Ave. and S. Pulaski Rd.) 

For more information about the open house, media may contact Natalia Derevyanny at 312.603.8286. 

The Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management integrates first responders, their departments and resources from 134 Cook County municipalities, and serves as the central agency in Cook County for coordinating efforts to prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, respond to, and recover from all incidents, whether man-made or natural. For more information, visit our website at www.cookcountyhomelandsecurity.org.