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The Palos Park Police Department wants residents to get I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency) 

Palos Park Police Department Commissioner John Mahoney is asking Palos Park residents with cell phones to participate in the I.C.E. program.  Regrettably, we live in a time when people should take precautions and have readily available emergency information available to first responders in case they become incapacitated or severely injured in an accident or other catastrophic events. 

The program is simple, within your cell phone phonebook, place the number of a family member or loved one you would like the first responders to call in case you are injured.  List it in your phone, under the acronym I.C.E.  (In Case of Emergency) of those you would like notified.    This program could save valuable time! 

For more information on the I.C.E. program, contact The Palos Park Police Department at 708 671 3771.

Commissioner Polk urges all Palos Park residents to take time and register directly with Emergency Communications Network in order to receive the notifications.

The registration is available at www.southwestcentral911.org once at the website, click on the CodeRED link, which will take them to the registration page, which they must complete to start the service.

CODE RED IS UP AND RUNNING!

The Code Red system allows for specific targeted notifications within the community or mass notifications within the community.  A notification message is generated from the Palos Park Police Department and then all phones within the affected area are called with the notification information. 

Some examples of way the system can be used would be if a small child was missing from a home or business in Palos Park.  After a description of the child was obtained, a Palos Park Police officer would record a message to be sent to all homes in the area asking they keep an eye out for the child.   Another example would be A Crime Pattern Alert, i.e... two male subjects in a blue truck are going door to door posing as village employees and seeking entry into senior citizens’ homes. 

Code Red is overseen by South West Central Dispatch, who will maintain the system and often times will make the notifications in emergency type situations.  For more information on the system, or if you would like to include your cell phone in the Palos Park Code Red system call Chief Joe Miller at 7008 671 3770.

Download CodeRED Pamphlet>>
View CodeRED Info on-line>>

PALOS PARK POLICE OFFER FILE FOR LIFE PROGRAM 

The Palos Park Police Department is offering Palos Park residents the opportunity to participate in the national “File For Life” program. 

The “File For Life” program is an offshoot of the Palos Park Police Department and Palos Women’s Club “ senior identification bracelet” program.   The “File For Life” program is a simple program the respects the privacy of the individual, but at the same time provides quick and easy access to medical data for emergency personnel responding to a Palos Park resident’s home. 

The “File For Life” is a small red magnetic folder, clearly marked “File For Life” containing a card with pertinent information related to medical data, emergency contacts, medication, dosage and the frequency of the dosage.  The card also contains information on the person’s date of birth, blood type, any existing living will and any “do not resuscitate order” recent surgery, allergies and medical insurance. 

Palos park police commissioner John Mahoney said, “we urge all of our residents to take advantage of this innovative program, it can save precious seconds for emergency medical personnel who may be called to the residents home.” 

For more information on the “File For Life” program contact Chief Joe Miller at the Palos Park Police Department 708-671- 3770. 

Floodwater can be dangerous. The power of six inches of moving water can knock people off their feet. Below are some tips to help you prepare for flooding in your area.

Plan ahead
Ask your local emergency management or local Red Cross about the flooding history of your property and your community. Plan and practice an evacuation by contacting the local emergency management or Red Cross for a community flood evacuation plan. Know your needs and be prepared.

Stock up on supplies, such as:

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Cell phone with text message feature or two-way pager and charger to use in your automobile.
• Portable TTY with extra batteries
• Batteries and back-up hearing assistive technology
• Portable battery-operated television with extra batteries and charger to use in your automobile.
• NOAA radios with text alerts and visual and/or tactile alerts, or AM/FM portable radio if you can hear it with a neck loop or headset
• Extra contact lenses or eyeglasses
• Paper and pens
• First aid kit
• Food and water (for up to 72 hours)
• Non-electric can opener
• Cash and credit cards
• Work or hiking shoes/boots to protect your feet when walking thru disaster areas develop an emergency communication plan.
• In case household members are separated from one another during a flood, have a back-up plan where you can meet each other. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to be a contact person. After the disaster, contact that person by pager or TTY. If you don’t have a pager or a working TTY, ask a hearing person with a cell phone to call for you. Be sure each household member knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

Be alert for these watches and warnings:

• Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Watch television or check your pager for warnings.
• Flash Flood Watch: A flash flood is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground, and watch television or check your pager.
• Flood Warning: Flooding is happening or will happen soon. If told to leave, leave right away.
• Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is happening. Move to higher ground above flood level immediately.
• Make sure that all household members are prepared for a flood.
• Teach all household members how and when to turn off gas, electricity and water.
• Teach children how to call 9-1-1, the police or the fire department, and which television channel to watch for emergency information.

During the flood:

If at Home:

• Check your pager or turn on the television to get the latest emergency information.
• Get your emergency supplies.
• If you have been ordered to evacuate, leave immediately.

If Outside:

• Climb to the highest ground and stay there.
• Avoid walking through any floodwater. When the water is moving, even if it is only six inches high, it can carry
  you off your feet.

If in a Car:

• If you drive to a flooded area, turn back and go in a different direction.
• If your car stalls, leave the car and climb to higher ground. Many deaths have happened from people trying to move a car in a flooded area. Your life is more important than a car.

If told to leave, please leave immediately.

• Evacuation is easier and safer before floodwaters become too deep and you are unable to drive through.
• Check your pager for evacuation instructions.
• Follow the evacuation instructions and do not take shortcuts or drive around “Road Closed” signs.
• Leave early to avoid floods in your area.

Inspecting a damaged home:
Wear strong shoes and use a flashlight or battery-powered lantern when examining the building. Search walls, floors, doors and windows to make sure that the building will not collapse. Watch out for animals, especially snakes, that may have come into your home with the floodwater.

Use a stick to check through the debris. Look for loose plaster or ceiling that could fall on you. Take pictures of the house’s interior and exterior for insurance records. Look for broken or leaking gas lines. Watch out for flooded electric circuits and appliances that may cause a fire. Throw away food, including canned food, which may have absorbed the floodwater.

Swine Influenza
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.  Take everyday actions to stay healthy.

However it is also important to remember that there are scenarios in which tornado sirens are not sufficient to warn everyone who will be affected by the dangerous weather. The tornado sirens, in many cases, are not loud enough for the people to hear when indoors, in there cars or listening to the radio.

The good news is that there are alternatives. The National Weather Service’s web site (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/) is regularly updated with any dangerous weather warnings. Another alternative is the CodeRED Weather Warning Service. This is a free service that will notify you by phone if any dangerous weather warnings are in effect for your area. To register for this service simply visit www.southwestcentral911.org.