Extreme winter weather in January put a number of public agencies in central Illinois on high alert.  For counties’ Emergency Management Agencies (EMAs), this means tracking information from the National Weather Service and other bodies.  In addition, they initiate their own contact with sheriffs departments and even each other.  Preparedness and planning are key to ensuring EMAs can keep the people they serve informed and safe. 

Dan Hough is the director of the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency.  He says in addition to informing people, they work with large organizations like schools and hospitals to help them prepare for emergencies. 

The EMA also has several volunteer teams to help carry out search-and-rescue missions and assess damage.

During major weather events, the Montgomery County EMA and equivalent agencies in other counties and jurisdictions use information from “storm spotters” to track weather activity.  Storm spotters report what they see from these weather events to said agencies.  Anyone can become a spotter, and the EMA is hosting a class on how to spot.  It’s scheduled for Tuesday, February 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m at Lincoln Land Community College’s Litchfield campus.

The Montgomery County EMA jumped into action during the heavy snowfall in the latter part of January.  Hough admits they got lucky with the storm happening on a weekend but also thanks people for staying home to allow emergency crews to easily do their work. 

More information on the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency is available at montgomerycountyil.gov/ema. 

Dan Hough appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.