Iroquois County EMA details silo collapse response, hospital drill and upgrades to communications

The Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency reported at the Policy and Procedure Committee meeting on Nov. 6 that it coordinated media inquiries and on‑scene response after a recent grain silo collapse and credited first responders with saving lives.

EMA Director said the agency functioned as the public information officer for the silo collapse, “fielding calls from numerous local, but actually calls from all over the country,” and that the incident drew national media attention. The director said crews on scene “did a great job” and that local responders will be recognized later at a county board meeting.

The director recounted a separate traffic incident the next day involving a semi truck and a propane delivery truck in the east‑west district on 44 East Road. The propane truck was overturned, scattering multiple 20‑pound propane tanks; the larger hazard was motor oil leaking into a northeast drainage ditch. EMA remained on scene while the towing company placed absorbent material and later removed contaminated material.

EMA also summarized participation in a statewide Illinois Hospital Association disaster tabletop drill that simulated an airplane crash. The agency said it presented how EMA can support triage using a triage kit the health department purchased, assist on scene, and help with reunification and information coordination between hospitals and families. The EMA director said hospitals were surprised at the local capacity and noted the local health partners have five registered nurses available to supplement hospital staffing if needed.

Planned preparedness work includes a near‑complete rewrite of the county emergency operations plan to meet state guidelines, a relaunch of the long‑term recovery committee (a volunteer group that coordinates post‑disaster cleanup and assistance), and upgrades to the county radio room so it can serve as a secondary communications center. The director said he will use remaining budget funds this year to gut and rebuild the radio room and to upgrade StarCom radios; he said he and an assistant coordinator plan to do much of the construction work themselves to save costs.

EMA said it will pursue grant opportunities from railroad companies that offer annual grants for jurisdictions with tracks in their territory and intends to apply for funds to upgrade communications and computer systems. The director said warning siren tests recently identified two jurisdictions needing fixes and noted those issues are being addressed.

Why it matters: EMA’s account details local operational experience and near‑term investments in communications and planning that officials say will improve response and coordination for multi‑agency incidents.