(A) Notification by any person aware of an unauthorized release should be made to County Emergency Dispatch by dialing 911. The dispatcher on duty shall be responsible for informing both the Judge Executive and IDES Director or their designees of such notification. It shall be the duty of the IDES Director to respond and make an official determination of the reported occurrence at the scene. IDES shall then notify all appropriate state and federal agencies and further initiate the mutual-aid response if required. The Judge Executive shall immediately assess the danger to the general public, property and environment and order the evacuation if necessary or cause the EOC to be activated. The most appropriate response action shall then be made by the IDES Director and Judge Executive based on the financial, personnel and equipment capabilities of the county.
(B) (1) Medical attention for those persons immediately effected by an occurrence should have first priority in responding to an environmental emergency.
(2) Medical emergency guidelines shall be developed jointly by IDES and the provider who is under contract for emergency medical services in the county.
(3) The danger of fire should have second priority with emergency guidelines developed by all county fire departments.
(4) The danger to the environment should have third priority.
(5) The danger to property in general should have fourth priority.
(C) A mutual-aid agreement between County DES and all incorporated cities in McLean County and adjacent counties who are capable and willing to assist shall be written that details each entity’s capability to responded to an environmental emergency. Such an agreement shall include the state of readiness of DES, medical, law enforcement, fire department, responding personnel, equipment and the means to recover any costs, damages or liability, outside of jurisdiction of the county’s Fiscal Court.
(D) Response to a threatened release should be considered as an imminent danger and having the potential to cause an actual occurrence of an uncontrolled, unauthorized release. Upon notification by a user or informed person that such a situation exists or is perceived, Central Dispatch shall first receive an on-scene evaluation from IDES before proceeding with notification of an environmental emergency as set forth above in division (A) above.
(Ord. 95-330.1, passed 3-13-1995)