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Resolution to approve a memorandum of understanding between Lake County and the USA Disaster Relief Corps, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation.
Staff Summary
• The USA Disaster Relief Corps (USADRC), an Illinois not-for-profit corporation based in Lake Bluff, is a volunteer organization that has embraced the mission of providing assistance to communities during emergencies and disasters through the application of advanced technical capabilities. The USADRC maintains equipment and personnel that are capable of providing an array of specialized services, including radio communications support; voice, data, and video linkage through multiple technologies and media; remote illumination and videography; and more traditional rescue functions.
• The Lake County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) serves as the County’s point of coordination for various resources to support preparedness for and response to emergencies and disasters of all kinds. Lake County EMA continues to coordinate with various partner organizations and when appropriate to establish more formalized relationships through memoranda of understanding.
• Lake County has entered into various Intergovernmental Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding, which are cataloged and referenced in the County’s Emergency Operation Plan.
• The proposed memorandum of understanding will allow USADRC to more quickly assist any agency or community within Lake County in need of assistance by identifying the County as the point of coordination for USADRC equipment and capability in support of Lake County needs.
• The proposed memorandum of understanding also encourages collaborative preparedness through the conduct of joint training, exercises, and other activities.
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WHEREAS, Lake County maintains and operates an Emergency Management Program that includes a formal written Emergency Operations Plan and supporting documents; and
WHEREAS, Lake County supports collaborative emergency and disaster preparedness through partnerships and mutual aid agreements; and
WHEREAS, the USA Disaster Relief Corps has been established to provide assistance during disasters and emergencies to those in need; and
WHEREAS, Lake County recognizes the importance and mutual beneficence of cooperative agreements with emergency preparedness partners; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that a Memorandum of Understanding between Lake County and the USA Disaster Relief Corps is hereby approved and adopted, and that the Chairman of this Lake County Board is hereby authorized to sign said agreement on behalf of the County.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on this 10th day of August, A.D., 2010.