Education & Training
EOC staff and volunteers attend ongoing training through courses offered by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the National Weather Service and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). OEM staff also play a key role in educating the community through informational talks and presentations. Disaster drills and table top exercises are conducted on a periodic basis in partnership with organizations such as
- IEMA
- Illinois Department of Transportation
- Jackson County Ambulance Service
- Memorial Hospital of Carbondale
- Southern Illinois University
Accreditation & Certification
The OEM maintains annual accreditation through review of its Emergency Operations Plan by the IEMA. The Carbondale Emergency Operations Plan is the guiding document for all phases of disaster management. Carbondale is a "StormReady Community" as certified by the National Weather Service. The designation indicates that community leaders and emergency managers have taken added measures to strengthen local hazardous weather operations.
Carbondale OEM is also certified as a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador. This National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) initiative recognizes partners who are improving the nation's readiness, responsiveness, and overall resilience against extreme weather, water, and climate events.