“They respond whenever they are called …

“To some of the most critical incidents in the county …

“Where skill is everything … and failure is not an option.”

Kane County Office of Emergency Management’s new iMovie is just a minute and four seconds long, but it just might be the best recruiting tool Kane County’s Office of Emergency Management has ever had.

Don Bryant, director of the Kane County Office of Emergency Management, unveiled the video at last month’s Public Health Committee, and the video is now posted on the OEM’s website and Facebook page.

The video represents a state-of-the-art outreach and provides a stirring call to action for volunteers, who are absolutely critical to OEM’s mission and program functions.

“We have recognized that even though volunteers are not employed by the county, they do represent Kane County, and therefore must be highly trained, professional and attentive to the needs of the citizens during emergency and disaster situations,” Bryant said.

Bryant said OEM volunteers are called upon to provide emergency and non-emergency assistance and are on call to serve Kane County communities 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days per year. In 2015, the volunteer corps logged more than 6,000 hours providing direct services to our communities. Some of these services involved emergency scene lighting, traffic control, severe weather operations and search-and-rescue responses.

“Our volunteers come from all walks of life and have many and differing skills to offer,” Bryant said. “Some of the larger disaster work we do includes sandbag operations, damage assessment, providing assistance during public health emergencies, emergency shelter operations, and providing support and communications staff in the Emergency Operations Center and to other county departments.”

The OEM provides public preparedness education, and volunteers play an important role in that effort, as well. Volunteer members set up and staff public information booths at many of the festivals and events held in the county throughout the year, provide information on family preparedness and emergency supply kits, severe weather safety, and the CodeRed emergency notification system along with providing general personal preparedness information.

Along with images of real-life OEM actions — from disaster-drill explosions to tornado relief efforts last year in nearby Fairsdale to train and road emergencies — the iMovie provides compelling audio, a fast-paced presentation and a clear call to action.

“This year, sign up to volunteer at … www.kcoem.org.”

“If you wish to become a member of a highly professional public safety team,” Bryant said, “go to our website for additional information and to obtain an application.”

Read More

• 17 Kane OEM Volunteers Earn President’s Service Award
• President Honors OEM’s Werrbach With Lifetime Achievement Award
• 20 County OEM Members to Receive 2014 President’s Volunteer Service Award
• OEM’s Search-and-Rescue Vehicle ‘Mission Ready’ — At No Tax Dollars
• Bryant: How Kane County Can Help Fairdale Tornado Victims — and Be Ready If Disaster Happens Here
• PHOTO STORY: 2 Deaths Confirmed in Wake of Thursday’s Tornado
• VIDEO: Tornado Near Rochelle Kills One, Hardest Damage Skirts Kane County

Join the Kane County Office of Emergency Management

Emergencies and disasters don’t happen every day. It is through the efforts of our dedicated volunteers that Kane County and its residents are better prepared.

Volunteers fill a variety of professional positions within the OEM organization. To qualify you must:

• Be a minimum of 18 years of age.
• Must live within 5 miles of Kane County.
• Be willing to learn.
• Be willing to work at public event details in support of local community activities.
• Be available to respond to emergency callouts, when needed.

Each volunteer member brings unique skills, capabilities, and talents when they join the OEM. For a volunteer to be an integral part of the organization, he or she must be willing to share those talents and actively participate in the details, training, and calls for assistance. At a minimum each volunteer should be prepared to commit to the following:

• Attend monthly membership meetings, training sessions and Wednesday work activities.
• Participate in at least 10 percent of the details and calls.
• Contribute and share your skills to help the organization meet its goals and objectives.

If you are interested in joining the Kane County Office of Emergency Management please use our PDF Application for membership.

SOURCE: Kane County OEM