Links of Interest

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Coordinated Responder Information System (CRIS)

CRIS allows members to view their information as well as edit much of their personal data.  The CRIS program is web based and can be accessed at http://cris.imert.org. To login to the CRIS system you will need to provide your username and password.  Once you login to CRIS you can access your record by typing your CRIS ID number into the CRIS ID LOOKUP.  Your record will be displayed.  To make changes to your user record permanent you must click the green SAVE button.  There are two green save buttons located on the MAIN page of your user record.  If you have any questions or trouble using the CRIS system please contact Sue Tysiak at suet@imert.org or 630-495-6403 x210

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Disasters and Emergencies Sections, with links to disaster resources.

Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security is committed to helping first responders nation-wide by ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared, equipped and trained for any situation, and by bringing together information and resources to prepare for and respond to a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency.

Department of Homeland Security Institute
The Homeland Security Institute (HSI) is a Studies and Analysis Federally Funded Research and Development Center. HSI delivers independent and objective analyses and advises in core areas important to its sponsor in support of policy development, decision-making, analysis of alternative approaches, and evaluation of new ideas on issues of significance.

Hospital Incident Command System (HICS or HEICS)
Progress continues in the Hospital Emergency Incident Command System (HEICS) revision project, led by the California Emergency Medical Services Authority and funded by HRSA Hospital Bioterrorism Preparedness and Planning grants.  New Name: Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) as the revised model will have the flexibility for use during any hospital situation (not limited to emergencies and/or disasters), it can be referred to more simply as Hospital ICS or HICS. 

US Dept of Health and Human Services/ Health and Resources Services Administration (HRSA)
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable. Comprising five bureaus and 12 offices, HRSA provides leadership and financial support to health care providers in every state and U.S. territory. HRSA grantees provide health care to uninsured people, people living with HIV/AIDS, and pregnant women, mothers and children. They train health professionals and improve systems of care in rural communities. HRSA oversees organ, tissue and bone marrow donation. It supports programs that prepare against bioterrorism, compensate individuals harmed by vaccination, and maintains databases that protect against health care malpractice and health care waste, fraud and abuse.

U.S. National Library of Medicine
US National Library of Medicine is the world's largest biomedical library. The library; explores the uses of computer and communication technologies to improve the organization and use of biomedical information, educates users about available sources of information so that they may conduct their own research concerning medical topics, acts as a supplemental resource after local, regional, and other national resources have been contacted, and provides grants.

Ready America!  Prepare. Plan. Stay Informed

In order to encourage Americans to prepare themselves, their families and their communities, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in partnership with The Advertising Council, has sponsored public service advertisements (PSAs) that educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to all kinds of emergencies. The Ready Campaign asks individuals to do three key things to prepare for the unexpected: get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (ARHQ) Public Health Preparedness
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) research provides evidence-based information on health care outcomes; quality; and cost, use, and access. Information from AHRQ's research helps people make more informed decisions and improve the quality of health care services. AHRQ was formerly known as the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Children and Disasters
This Web site contains information to ensure that pediatricians and other pediatric providers have the information they need about terrorism and disasters as fast as it becomes available. And to ensure that children's needs are considered in all terrorism and disaster planning and response efforts. And ensure functioning linkages with all national, state and local governmental and private entities working on issues concerning terrorism and disasters.

Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC)
Bioterrorism Resources Page with information about various bioterrorism agents, and bioterrorism response plan information.

Emergency Nursing Association (ENA)
The Emergency Nursing Association (ENA) is the national Association for professional nurses dedicated to the advancement of emergency nursing practice. Whether you are a staff nurse or manager in an emergency department, an administrator, prehospital, flight, pediatric or trauma emergency nurse, an emergency clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, student or educator, you can benefit from membership in ENA. No matter your level of experience, or the size of your
emergency department, membership in ENA contributes to your professional growth.

ILLINOIS SPECIFIC

Biker4Biker

Biker4Biker is a group of Illinois bikers that have joined together to help area bikers and their families in times of need. We created Biker4Biker to help all bikers regardless of which bike you ride or what group or groups you may ride with. Our help is available to HOG members, Abate Members or folks who just like to ride and do not belong to any group. Our volunteers represent many of the area riding groups and have generously given their time and resources to help others in need. Also see Rescue Riders.

Illinois Homeland Security

The Illinois Homeland Security web site is the central resource for information and guidance from the State of Illinois regarding security and emergency-related issues. The site offers information ranging from guidelines for county and municipal governments, to emergency checklists, and links to state and federal web sites, making it a key component of state preparedness.

Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)

Bioterrorism Preparedness Section Information for healthcare providers and the public regarding Bioterrorism preparedness and response.

Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA)

Every day Illinois' citizens face natural, technological, chemical and manmade hazards that can produce situations that become disasters. Even though the probability of you or your family being injured or killed in a disaster is very low, it is extremely probable that its effects will impact your lives.

Illinois Medical Reserves Corps

The MRC was founded after President Bush’s 2002 State of the Union Address, in which he asked all Americans to volunteer in support of their country. It is a partner program with Citizen Corps, a national network of volunteers dedicated to ensuring hometown security. Citizen Corps, along with AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Peace Corps are part of the President's USA Freedom Corps, which promotes volunteerism and service nationwide. MRC units are community-based and function as a way to locally organize and utilize volunteers who want to donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies and promote healthy living throughout the year. MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources.

ILLINOIS MEDICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

The Illinois Medical Emergency Response Team (IMERT) is a volunteer organization for all levels of emergency medical personnel as well as individuals with backgrounds in logistics, communications, safety, and information technologies whose mission it is to respond to and assist with emergency medical treatment at mass casualty incidents, in addition to coordinating educational programs to EMS participants in Illinois.

Rescue Riders

The Rescue Riders train bikers in emergency response and work hand in hand with federal, state, and local emergency response organizations. This public/private partnership allows us, as bikers, to utilize our enhanced mobility via two wheels while supporting our partners. Have you ever experienced grid lock during rush hour? Now imagine that that grid lock is wide spread due to tornadoes devastating the area. In that scenario it's hard to get first responders and/or supplies into areas where they are needed. The ability to quickly deploy into areas where needed can literally mean the difference between life and death. In addition to providing transportation services to our partners, our Rescue Riders are trained in First Aid, CPR, accident scene management, basic medical triage, life support and much more. Rescue Riders are then aligned with the appropriate emergency response agency and act as volunteers for that agency when mobilized.