Lt. Alain Svilpe, Domestic Preparedness Coordinator
Domestic Preparedness: 269-657-7786 Ext. 230

Lieutenant Alain Svilpe email

Sergeant Wayne Polomcak email

Preparing for a Winter Storm
On average, a major winter storm hits part of Michigan at least once per month between October and April. Since 1993, twenty-two persons have died as a direct result of severe winter weather. This is in addition to victims of auto accidents due to slippery roads and those who suffer heart attacks while shoveling snow.

Know the difference between a winter storm WATCH (conditions make the storm possible) and winter storm WARNING (the storm is headed for your area).

A blizzard WARNING means strong winds, blinding wind-driven snow, and dangerous wind chill. Avoid driving and seek shelter.

2009-2010 Michigan Winter Hazards Awareness

Click here for frequently asked questions about winter weather.

Click here for information on preparing for a winter storm

For more information on winter storms, see: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/winterstorm.pdf

Domestic Preparedness
If you hear a steady siren of 3-5 minutes, go indoors and tune into a local emergency alert system radio station:

WGMY-AM 940
WCSY-AM 98.3 SOUTH HAVEN
WKZO-AM 590 WWMT-TV 3 KALAMAZOO

These station will broadcast special numbers to call with questions or problems.
DO NOT DIAL 911

Steady Siren lasting 3-5 minutes means it is a weather emergency, nuclear power plant accident, chemical spill or other emergency.  Wavering Siren lasting 3-5 minutes indicates the need to take cover from a foreign attack.

If you are told to:
TAKE SHELTER: Stay Indoors, close all vents, windows and doors
EVACUATE: There is time for you to leave the area safely. Know what to bring, where to go and possible routes to take (which will be announced on the radio). Special Needs and Handicapped Persons would be evacuated by emergency workers to a congregate care center.

Click for more information:

• MICHIGAN SEVERE AWARENESS PACKET
  Up-to-date information including tornado facts, tornado and thunderstorm safety tips, flood facts and insurance information, and National Weather Service contacts.
• SKYWARN PLAN for Van Buren County.
  What to do in case of Tornados and High Winds, and how to report them.
• HOME FIRE SAFETY
  Guidelines for preventing fires and preparing an emergency plan for your family.
• FIRE EXTINGUISHER - Questions & Answers.
  Advice from the American Red Cross on when and if to use a fire extinguisher.
• WILDFIRES - Are you prepared?
  How to practice wildfire safety, protect your home, and what to do if evacuation is necessary.
• TORNADO SAFETY
  What to look for and the best places to take shelter, depending on where you are located.
• TORNADO SAFETY IN SCHOOLS
  School-specific emergency plan information for tornado safety.
• DRIVING IN A DISASTER (Safety Tips for Motorists in Emergencies).
  What to do if you are in a vehicle during a flood or tornado.
• WINTER HAZARDS
  Safety tips for winter travel and a checklist for a winter emergency storm kit, for your vehicle.
• FOOD IN AN EMERGENCY
  How to prepare a 2-week food storage plan, in case of emergency.

2008 Year End Report
Activity Summary


RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TRAINING

595 individuals trained in R.E.P. Agencies involved include:

• Department of Human Services/American Red Cross

• Health Department

• Road Commission

• Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol

• 911 Central Dispatch

• EOC Staff

• Posse and Reserves

• R.A.C.E.S.

• Bangor Public Schools

• Covert Public Schools

• South Haven Public Schools

• Decatur Fire Department

• Gobles Fire Department

• Hartford Fire Department

• Paw Paw Fire Department

PALISADES

Through out the year this office was involved in several emergency planning meetings and communication exercises with Palisades. We were also involved in the beginning efforts in establishing a rapid response team and in the planning areas for possible terrorist attacks on Palisades. In the early months of 2008, preparations for Palex 2008 were taking place. In the following months training was set and 595 persons with responsibilities in demonstrations and the full-scale exercises received REP training. This number is a record for this division. The FEMA evaluated exercise was held in September and the results were excellent.  

EMERGENCY OPERATION PLAN

The county plan was updated and revised during this period.

TRAINING & PRESENTATIONS

The Skywarn Spotter training session for 2007 was held at the Conference Center in Lawrence, and more than 60 attended.

Presentations were developed and delivered to the following agencies and organizations:

• Citizen Police Academy
• ETeam training
• Radiological Emergency Preparedness Training
• Safe School lock down procedures presentations and actual drills for the school districts.
• NIMS

Weather awareness educational material was delivered to all schools and media outlets serving the county. Schools that requested assistance with severe weather planning received it through this office.

EXERCISES

Palex 2008 was the primary exercise for the year, however numerous other smaller exercises were held the 5^th District Medical Coalition. This division was involved in three communications drills with Palisades and a hostile action tabletop exercise. Lock Down drills and walkthroughs were done in school districts across the county.

PRIVATE INDUSTRIES & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Our Local Emergency Planning Committee reviewed the existing 49 plans. Due to budget constraints no new plans were written. The LEPC is in the process of taking on new members and is again preparing a media campaign for farmers in conjunction with the Farm Bureau.  To date we have completed 49 approved plans and have 20 new plans yet to be completed. There are 69 Tier 2 sites in the county.

ACTUAL EMERGENCIES

On September 13, 2008 an EF-1 tornado touched down in the Village of Paw Paw causing damage to private businesses and trees. The level of damage was low and no assistance was requested. 

COMMITTEES

Lt. Alain Svilpe, Domestic Preparedness Coordinator, is a member of the following committees or organizations and attends all meetings on a regular basis:

• American Red Cross
• 911 Board
• Local Emergency Planning Committee
• Van Buren County Fire Fighters Association
• Van Buren County Fire Chiefs Association
• Van Buren County R.A.C.E.S.
• 5TH District Medical Response Coalition
• Michigan Emergency Managers Association
• Van Buren County Road Commission

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Assisted the following schools with development of tornado plans, Safe School planning and other school presentations:

• South Haven Schools
• Decatur Schools
• Gobles Schools
• St. Mary's School
• Sister Lakes School
• Hartford Neighborhood Watch
• Senior's Day at the ISD

CURRENT GRANT ACTIVITIES

• 2006 Homeland Security Regionalization Planning
• 2007 Homeland Security Regionalization Planning
• 2006 Citizens Corp
• 2007 Citizens Corp
• 2007 Buffer Zone
• 2007 PSIC

Professional Development Training

• Michigan R.E.P. Conference
• Homeland Security Conference
• REP Training
• Interoperable Communication Conference
• MENA Summit Conference
• Hazmat Awareness
   

Respectfully Submitted:
Lt. Alain E. Svilpe, Director ODP