STATEWIDE MUTUAL AID PLAN

Published a statewide mutual aid resource flow and mobilization plan allowing MABAS & non-MABAS Fire/EMS/Special Operations Teams to respond statewide under a declaration of disaster, formalized on January 16, 2001 with a Memorandum of Understanding between IEMA, MABAS and a number of non-MABAS population centers.

MABAS GROWTH (MUTUAL AID BOX ALARM SYSTEM)

MABAS was initiated in 1968 as a mechanism to provide day-to-day Fire/EMS and Special Operations mutual aid between governmental entities. In 1999, MABAS included 25 operating divisions, as of August 2002, there are 42 MABAS operating divisions representing approximately 28,000 of the states 40,000 firefighters and 750 of the states 1200 fire agencies, all working under a single, standard contractual document.

MABAS GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE

Heavily rooted in the Chicago Metro area, MABAS also extends to the Iowa border, as far south as St. Clair County and extends into Wisconsin with four (4) MABAS divisions, over the Indiana border and most recently into Missouri with the city of St. Louis entering into the MABAS agreement. MABAS has never seen the growth it has over the past two years. Interest continues as MABAS is truly becoming a statewide standard and system throughout Illinois and more .

STATEWIDE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TEAMS

Through a statewide inventory and response plan 36 Hazardous Materials Teams were identified as a core for start up. Currently, 27 of the teams are rated as Level "A", the most capable, the remainder are Level "B", in process of moving to Level "A" capabilities. All teams are included in the statewide plan, have developed common operating protocols and have received domestic terrorism, WMD equipment packages for detection and analysis of nuclear, biological and chemical products. The WMD equipment was acquired through ITTF grants totaling $1,358,467.

STATEWIDE DEPLOYED ANTIDOTES/MEDICATIONS

Through a cooperative effort between ITTF, IDPH and MABAS a large quantity of chemical antidotes has been deployed statewide with first responding Fire/EMS and Special Operations units. Further, within the statewide plan the ability to mobilize thousands of chemical antidote kits anywhere in the state rapidly. Biologically, the establishment of a statewide pharmaceutical supply of medications for immediate distribution to first responders, key officials and threatened civilian populations in the interim until federal drug supplies are delivered. Cost $2,500,000, funded by Former Governor Ryan’s emergency appropriations.

TECHNICAL RESCUE TEAMS – USAR CAPABILITY

An evolving capability is Technical Rescue Team Resources (TRT) or as of late called USAR "Light" (Urban Search and Rescue). Through the Statewide Mutual Aid Resource Flow Plan, an inventory of local TRT capabilities was achieved. Accordingly, 37 TRT Teams were identified with 23 teams currently capable to respond and the remainder requiring equipment, training or staffing improvements to attain response capability.

Technical Rescue Teams provide capabilities for victim extrication from below grade, high angle and structural collapse where entrapments exists. USAR achievement will occur through the TRT backbone structure statewide with follow on federal recognition.

In process funding through the ITTF includes $2,283,000 for basic TRT service equipment and $1,806,000 for USAR mobilization package.

LOCAL AND COUNTY HEALTH SYSTEM SUPPORT

In cooperation with IDPH and MABAS the statewide mutual aid plan includes the mobilization of paramedic personnel to assist local and county health departments in providing preventative treatment from biological or chemical threats to the general population in areas of the state.

SPEED OF RESPONSE VS QUANTITY OF RESPONSE

MABAS as an organization is activated approximately 700 times per year providing speed of response to non-declaration of disaster such as extra alarm fires, multiple victim accidents, and HAZMAT incidents. In concert with the daily services of MABAS is the statewide mutual aid plan activated under a governor’s declaration of disaster for tornado’s, earthquakes, floods or human acts of terrorism. The statewide mutual aid plan is designed to provide a sustaining quantity of emergency resources versus speed of response. Additionally, the statewide plan causes resource deployment to a stricken area while leaving at least 80% of local resource in the place responding to ongoing, routine local emergencies.

Accordingly, MABAS and the statewide response plans can provide fire pumpers, ladder trucks, paramedic transport ambulances, task force resource packages, heavy rescue squads, water tankers, brush trucks, hazardous materials, technical reserve, underwater rescue and recovery teams to any community in Illinois and our sister states.

SINGLE POINT OF FIRE/EMS/SPECIAL OPERATIONS DISPATCH

In cooperation with IEMA, State Fire Marshal’s Office and IDPH, a single point of dispatch for statewide mobilization of Fire/EMS and Special Operations during a declaration of disaster. RED (Regional Emergency Dispatch) Center, a multi-governmental consortium, has accepted the task as the single point of dispatch coordination. A facility has been recently constructed and equipped through a $1,800,000 grant facilitated by the Governor’s office and the General Assembly.