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TO: Mayor Richard Irvin
FROM: Natalie Wiza, Emergency Management Coordinator
DATE: September 13, 2021
SUBJECT:
A proposed Memorandum of Agreement between the City and the Illinois Search and Rescue Council, Inc.
PURPOSE:
The Illinois Search and Rescue Council (ISARC) is a professional volunteer organization within the State of Illinois that provides search and rescue (SAR) services for missing persons upon request. It is organized as an Illinois not-for-profit corporation and holds Sec. 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Its services are supported and performed by volunteers trained by ISARC. All ISARC volunteers are affiliated volunteers with governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations throughout the state, and successful SAR operations are dependent on entering into an agreement with ISARC.
This agreement has been updated from the previous agreement to include the ability of all SAR trained individuals to be considered a part of a Mobile Support Team. Previously, SAR personnel had the ability to travel within the State to requests, as needed, but when a state Emergency Management Assistance Compact was activated, SAR personnel were not allowed to be deployed as a Mobile Support Team.
This agreement will provide for the same level of service as provided in year's past by existing SAR trained Aurora Emergency Management Volunteers, while providing for additional capabilities through ISARC when deployment's outside of the State is necessary to supply aid to disaster-stricken areas.
BACKGROUND:
This Memorandum of Agreement between ISARC and the City provides for volunteer and equipment mutual aid into the City for missing persons; the City can send trained volunteers and equipment to outside agencies within the State; the City can deploy trained volunteers and equipment to outside states when an Interstate Emergency Management Assistance Compact is requested and Mobile Support Teams are necessary to protect life and property.
DISCUSSION:
This agreement would allow for Aurora Emergency Management SAR Volunteers and equipment to respond outside of Aurora if there was a need for assistance. It would also allow for volunteers and equipment to respond to emergencies within the City, including, but not limited to SAR vehicles, dogs, specialized equipment, and volunteers trained in ground, urban, and water rescue and recovery efforts.
A $50.00 annual fee is associated with this membership and agreement with ISARC, but the nominal cost of this fee provides for continual training and exercise opportunities for SAR Volunteers, and it covers the cost of the emergency call-out requests performed by ISARC; account number 10130384294501. Trainings performed this year include working with coroners regarding crime scene behavior and fatality management, water rescue teams learning basic water rescue skills, law enforcement agencies as cross-training between sworn and civilian personnel, and frequent trainings to remain up to date on lost human behavior, child behavior, and land navigation.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
There are no negative impacts by signing this agreement.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request the proposed resolution be adopted.
cc: Public Health, Safety, and Transportation Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the execution of a memorandum of agreement with the Illinois Search and Rescue Council, Inc.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City has long since established an Emergency Management Agency pertaining to appropriate functions in the case of an emergency or disaster pursuant to Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora ("EMA Ordinance"); and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that, at any given time, emergency and disaster incidents may occur that are beyond the capabilities of the City's Emergency Management Agency to deal effectively with in terms of personnel, equipment, and material resources; and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that, at any given time, emergency and disaster incidents may occur that are beyond the capability of other municipal jurisdictions to deal effectively with in terms or personnel, equipment, and material resources; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Search and Rescue Council, Inc. is a duly-organized not for profit corporation existing under the laws of this State and holding Section 501(c)(3) tax exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code, with a mission of supporting, coordinating, developing, promotion, and implementing search and rescue resources with the underlying principles of saving lives and preserving property through its support of the National Search and Rescue Plan, the National Response Framework, and Illinois Emergency Operations Plan; and
WHEREAS, in entering into am Memorandum of Agreement with the Illinois Search and Rescue Council, Inc., and becoming a members thereof, the City Council hereby expresses its intent to assist nearby jurisdictions or states, as appropriately requested, with personnel, equipment, or material resources to the requesting jurisdiction, as the current situation allows; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that it is in the best interests of the City to provide as much as possible for the assistance its residents and other jurisdictions of said agreement; and,
WHEREAS, said Memorandum of Agreement is authorized by Section 3305/13 of the Illinois Emergency Management Act and the EMA Ordinance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that attached Memorandum of Agreement with the Illinois Search and Rescue Council, Inc., shall be and hereby is approved; and further
BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor shall cause said Memorandum of Agreement to be executed and a copy thereof transmitted to the Illinois Search and Rescue Council, Inc.