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The information presented here is intended to be general in nature. Any information of an urgent nature will be released through normal media channels.
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Regardless of the current National Security Threat Level, we should take every opportunity to prepare ourselves as we would for any emergency such as a fire, flood or natural disaster. This site is intended to be a resource for residents of Henry County to find up-to-date information and links to national resources on terrorism and preparedness.
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Being prepared for an emergency involves learning as much as you can and making plans to act. You should be alert to suspicious activity and know how to report it to your local law enforcement agency, most commonly done by calling 9-1-1. If you have not already done so, you should create a disaster plan with family members. If you have a plan, it should be reviewed and periodically updated. Contact your neighbors to discuss their plans and needs.
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Your family disaster planning should including stockpiling nonperishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit to sustain your family for at least a week. |
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Determine meeting places and escape routes for you and your family if you become separated. If possible, choose an out-of-state friend or relative as a single point of contact to coordinate family messages. Each family member should be in possession an emergency contact list. This list should not only contain telephone numbers, but possible email address and pager numbers too.
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The very nature of terrorism suggests there may be little or no warning, therefore you should be prepared to be without service you normally depend on that could be disrupted, such as electricity, telephone, natural gas, gasoline pumps and Internet transactions.
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Remember, terrorists need: |
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A place to live... Are you suspicious of any tenants or visitors?
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A plan... Have you seen anyone pay an unusual amount of attention to security measures at any location?
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A source of money... Individuals may set up fake bank accounts, copy credit cards, and return goods for large cash refunds
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A source of materials... If you own a business, are you suspicious about anything that has been bought or stolen from you?
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In a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury and damage. Anything that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire is a potential hazard.
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Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections.
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Fasten shelves securely.
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Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves.
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Hang pictures and mirrors away from beds.
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Brace overhead light fixtures.
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Secure water heater. Strap to wall studs.
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Repair cracks in ceilings or foundations.
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Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products away from heat sources.
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Place oily polishing rags or waste in covered metal cans.
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Clean and repair chimneys, flue pipes, vent connectors, and gas vents.
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Don't wait to report suspicious activity! Contact your local law enforcement agency or your local FBI office as soon as possible.
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| Back to Top |
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Many of the following documents are in Adobe .PDF format and require a viewer capable of displaying .PDF files. To download the free Adobe Reader, Click Here |
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| How to Prepare for National Emergencies: What You Can Do |
| There are three initial steps that families can take: |
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Assemble an emergency supply kit
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Develop a family communication plan
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Learn more about the different types of emergencies you could face.
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| Learn more here about preparing for an emergency |
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| Helpful Documents (can be either opened or downloaded to your computer) |
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| Information Links (all will open in a new window) |
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Illinois Homeland Security The Illinois Homeland Security web site is the central resource for information and guidance from the State of Illinois regarding security and emergency-related issues.
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U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security The DHS Web site is an invaluable tool providing the Department's partners in the federal, state and local governments, the private sector, and the American people with the tools and information they need to help the Department achieve its mission to lead a unified national effort to secure America.
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Ready.gov Ready.gov is a common sense framework designed to launch a process of learning about citizen preparedness. One of the primary mandates of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is to educate the public, on a continuing basis, about how to be prepared in case of a national emergency including a possible terrorist attack.
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Illinois Emergency Management Agency The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is responsible for coordinating the State's disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery programs and activities.
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American Red Cross The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers under a Congressional Charter and guided by the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
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The Salvation Army The Salvation Army is an international Christian relief organization committed to "doing the most good" with its charitable contributions. Provides relief and support to victims of disasters and emergencies.
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