Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
EMA: command bus arriving; grant windows and radiological conference funding discussed
Summary
LaSalle County emergency management staff said the county’s mobile command bus is approaching delivery, described a modest $2,600 wiring cost (offset by radio-install savings), and asked permission to apply for short-window FEMA/IEMA grants while noting a nuclear grant will cover radiological conference attendance.
LaSalle County emergency management (EMA) staff updated the committee on equipment, grant opportunities and training on Jan. 6.
EMA staff (Brad, Speaker 4) said the mobile operations and communication center (the command bus ordered in 2024) is expected to be delivered soon after final quality control, and he proposed an open house at a future full board meeting so members and local first responders can inspect the unit.
Brad said he prewired the unit for Starlink at an incremental cost of $2,600 but saved roughly $12,000 on radio installation, so the unit is expected to remain within its overall budget. "The cost increase was $2,600, but I saved, like, I wanna say, like, close to $12,000 on the radio installation," he told the committee.
EMA staff also described routine grant programs: an EMA grant that reimburses up to 50% of administrative costs and a radiological grant that is funded on a spend plan. He requested permission to apply when short application windows open; the committee gave verbal approval to proceed. He added that a nuclear grant typically pays 100% of hotel, wages, registration and flights for the National Radiological Emergency Preparedness Conference, limiting out-of-pocket cost to the county.
EMA said a hazard mitigation grant application appears to have been approved and that the county will meet with IEMA and NCICG on Jan. 14 to discuss next steps.
Committee members agreed to allow EMA to submit applications when the short windows open and expressed interest in touring the command bus after delivery.
