Volunteer Program of the Year: PEMA

When the weather turns sour and water levels rise ominously, or when any emergency faces their village, the volunteers for the Palatine Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) don their reflective green vests and head out into the storm. Trained to respond in case of a man-made or natural disaster, these volunteers can address those needs that the local police, firefighters, and other professional staff may not have time to confront, according to Tom Smith, the Palatine Emergency Management Coordinator.
 
“The true definition of a disaster is when your resources are overwhelmed,” he said. “We can have people step in and supplement the efforts of first responders in case of an emergency.”
 
Currently, over 150 people from all walks of life are active PEMA volunteers, according to Smith. These volunteers all take a wide range of disaster response trainings, including Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) certification courses. Serving on volunteer-led teams, they are prepared to do everything from providing medical assistance to caring for pets in the case of an emergency.
 
While they are planning and preparing for emergencies throughout the year, PEMA volunteers assist the community in other ways as well. Last year they used their training and know-how to provide communication and medical support for a community-wide effort to distribute H1N1 vaccines. They also often assist with crowd management and coordination during large events, including Street Fest, the Twin Lakes Triathlon, and Relay for Life.
 
Linda Trilling, Program Manager for Disaster Services at The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago (TVC), is a also a CERT Trainer for PEMA. She said this ongoing involvement with the community helps keep the volunteers passionate about their work while also increasing the visibility of PEMA volunteers. 
 
“The community has relied on them before, so when it matters, they know they can trust the PEMA volunteers,” Trilling said.