Emergency Management Agency

ABOUT MACKINAW EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

The Mackinaw Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is an entity of the Village of Mackinaw headed by a Coordinator who is responsible to the Village Board.  Members give their time and talents, to serve the community of Mackinaw and Tazewell County and to assist any other agencies in our area in case of natural or man-made emergencies. EMA has its origins in the Federal legislations which created Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). EMA is the local arm of FEMA and not under federal or state control unless a natural or man-made disaster is declared at a federal level in the associated area.

WHAT DOES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DO?

• Assist when called out for Search and Rescue
• Weather spotting for tornados and bad weather
• Disseminate public information
• Mutual aid to other departments in Tazewell County as needed
• Assist at disaster scenes
• Response and recovery for any disaster

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

• Provide support to Village departments
• Provide support for community events
• Work with other EMA units for assistance and support
• Provide necessary training and facilities

We should all insure that we have the basic necessities to be self-sufficient for a minimum of seventy-two hours in the event of a local disaster such as flood, tornado, blizzard, or terrorist created.

List of items to keep on hand in case of an emergency:

• Flashlights
• Candles
• Dry Matches
• Battery Powered Radio
• Spare Batteries for all Devices
• Potable Water
• Non-Refrigerated Foods
• Medication
• First Aid Supplies
• Blankets and/or Sleeping Bags
• Personal Items

What is the difference between a Tornado watch and a Tornado Warning issued by the national Weather Service?

Tornado Watch: Be Prepared!

Tornados are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly is a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives! Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center for counties where tornadoes may occur. The watch area is typically large covering numerous counties or even states.

 Tornado Warning: Take Action!

A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Warnings are issued by your local forecast office. Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or county) that may be impacted by the tornado identified by a forecaster on radar or by a trained spotter who is watching the storm.