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IEMA Sampling Results Show No Measureable Increases in Radiation Near Byron Nuclear Power Plant

Water, Vegetation Samples Analyzed by IEMA

SPRINGFIELD - Laboratory analysis of environmental sampling conducted by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) earlier this week showed no measureable increases of radiation in the environment as a result of a steam release from the Byron Nuclear Power Plant. The release occurred during an Unusual Event incident at the plant on Monday following a loss of off-site power.

The IEMA Bureau of Environmental Radiation Safety (BERS) routinely monitors for radioactivity in the environment surrounding nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities in Illinois.

Summary of Analytical Results

Press Releases

February 3, 2011 - IEMA Sampling Results Show No Measureable Increases in Radiation Near Byron Nuclear Power Plant

January 31, 2011 - IEMA Environmental Personnel Collect Samples Near Byron Nuclear Power Plant

Governor Quinn Proclaims February Earthquake Preparedness Month

IEMA Encourages Participation in Multi-State Earthquake Drill; More than 400,000 Illinoisans Already Registered

SPRINGFIELD - Recognizing the seismic risk in Illinois and the need for residents to be prepared for a major earthquake, Governor Pat Quinn proclaimed February Earthquake Preparedness Month in Illinois. A multi-state earthquake drill set for Feb. 7 will provide an excellent opportunity for people to learn how to stay safe during an earthquake. View the Executive Department Proclamation.

For more information about the earthquake threat in Illinois and what you can do to prepare, read the Earthquake Preparedness Month press release and check out the "Earthquakes in Illinois" section on the IEMA website.

IEMA Working with Federal Officials to Identify, Secure Contaminated Tissue Box Holders

Items Pose No Immediate Health Risk

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) announced it is coordinating with federal officials and Bed, Bath and Beyond to identify and secure decorative tissue box holders that are contaminated with low-levels of cobalt-60, a radioactive material. While the holders present no immediate health risk, IEMA is working with federal officials to prevent unnecessary radiation exposure by anyone who comes in contact with them.

The contaminated items are in the Dual Ridge Boutique product line, model number DR9M. They were manufactured at a facility in India and shipped to a Bed, Bath and Beyond distribution site in New Jersey. The items were shipped to the company�s stores in 20 states, including at least two stores in the Chicago area; one at 1800 N. Clyborne Street in Chicago and the other at 3232 Lake Avenue in Wilmette.

Read the full press release.

IEMA Offers Emergency Preparedness Tips for People with Functional and Access Needs

Agency Kicks Off 2012 Preparedness Campaign

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) kicked off its 2012 Preparedness Campaign by focusing on emergency preparedness for people with functional and access needs. The agency will highlight a different preparedness topic each month throughout 2012 as part of an annual campaign to increase disaster preparedness in Illinois.

A guidebook entitled, Emergency Preparedness Tips for Those with Functional Needs, is available to help people with functional or access needs and their caregivers prepare for emergencies.

Read the full press release.

Illinois Emergency Management Agency, State Fire Marshal Offer Holiday Gift Ideas

Preparedness, safety gifts for everyone on your shopping list

SPRINGFIELD - If you're still searching for the perfect holiday gifts for friends and loved ones, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) have offered ideas for presents that could save lives during emergencies.

Gifts such as NOAA Weather Alert radios, flashlights and first-aid kits can help friends and family prepare for disasters, while smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers will make their homes safer.

Read the full press release.

IEMA Kicks Off Holiday Season with Home Safety Tips

IEMA's 2011 Preparedness Campaign Focuses on Fire Safety, Radon Testing, Home Preparedness and Other Home Safety Topics

SPRINGFIELD - The holiday decorations are up, furnaces are warming homes and people are spending more time indoors as outdoor temperatures plummet. With those things in mind, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency's (IEMA) 2011 Preparedness Campaign in December will focus on home safety and steps people can take to ensure their families are safe this winter and throughout the New Year.

Whether decorating for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or New Year's Eve, candles and strings of colored lights create a festive atmosphere but it's important to be careful when using them. Candles should never be left unattended and should be placed on stable furniture in fire-safe holders that will catch dripping wax. Holiday lights and electrical decorations should bear the name of an independent testing lab to prove they were safety tested.

Read the full press release.

IEMA, National Weather Service Encourage Illinois Residents to Prepare for Winter Storms

Preparedness Kits for Home, Vehicle are Winter Necessities

SPRINGFIELD - On the heels of a crippling winter storm on the East Coast and just nine months after a blizzard and ice storm hammered most of Illinois, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) encourages Illinois residents to begin preparing for the cold, snow and ice that define winters in Illinois.

To help people prepare for winter hazards, IEMA, NWS and the American Red Cross developed a Winter Storm Preparedness Guide, which contains information about winter weather terms and tips for staying safe at home, in the car and at work or school.

Read the full press release.

IEMA Launches 'Illinois Homeland Security Vision 2020' to Guide Emergency Preparedness, Response Planning

SPRINGFIELD - With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 just days away, Illinois' homeland security officials today launched an initiative that will help shape the state's homeland security preparedness and response policies into the next decade. As part of Governor Quinn's commitment to public safety and the state's observance of National Preparedness Month, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) announced 'Illinois Homeland Security Vision 2020,' a statewide, grass-root effort to engage Illinois' residents and organizations in development of the state's strategy for dealing with current and emerging threats and risks and response to disasters.

Read the full press release.

IEMA to Seek Input on State's Homeland Security Strategy through Town Hall Meetings.

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