Threats and Hazards

On July 17, 2014, the Sangamon Valley LEPC convened its regularly scheduled meeting for the purpose of training for Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) as a discussion-based activity facilitated by staff of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA).  As the planning district for the LEPC encompasses Sangamon and Menard Counties, the hazards that were identified apply to both counties.

 

On August 6, 2014, the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office convened its regularly scheduled meeting of police chiefs across the county for the purpose of examining the threats and hazards to life and personal safety identified or with potential to exist in the capital city and across central Illinois. This was also done as a discussion-based activity facilitated by IEMA staff, with assistance from the Illinois State Police to progress more toward a Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA).

 

On January 12 & 13, 2015, the Sangamon Valley LEPC partnered with Springfield Fire Department to host a training class provided by the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) on the THIRA process and applying its results. LEPC participants brought backgrounds in emergency management, fire, hospitals, municipal government, military, 9-1-1, police, public health and utilities. Sangamon County OEM also invited the emergency managers of Christian and Morgan counties for their attendance.

 

In 2016, IEMA developed a THIRA document to capture risk assessment data from counties across the state.  To begin assessing our local risk, the OEM Director asked governmental organizations involved in emergency response and our stakeholders in the private and not-for-profit sectors serving Sangamon County to contribute to a county-wide Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA).  The HVA was tabulated in March 2017 to identify a rank-order for 25 hazards.  This broad-based data reflects the perceptions of substantial portions of our “whole community” as the THIRA document is incorporated into county preparedness planning.