Plainfield Prepares for Tornado Season

Submitted by the Plainfield Fire Protection District:

The week of April 21, the Plainfield Fire Protection District held a multi-agency tornado drill that included the Village of Plainfield’s Street Department, Building Department and Police Department, the Plainfield Township Street Department, the Plainfield Emergency Management Agency, the local dispatch center WESCOM and representatives from Commonwealth Edison and Nicor, as well as the following fire departments: Minooka, Troy, Braidwood, Coal City, Morris, Wilmington and Channahon.  

The drill simulated a tornado strike in Plainfield, within an area between Route 59 and Van Dyke Road and 143rd Street and 135th Street.  

The simulated incident command center/operations/staging area was the Meijer parking lot. The drill gave participates a better understanding of working together for an event of this magnitude. The drill also allowed participants to evaluate the effectiveness of the response plan to ensure that it meets the goals and objectives it was intended to achieve.  

The Plainfield Fire Protection District routinely trains for various emergencies including tornados however this year’s drill was on a much larger scale that included other agencies.

Residents may have noticed emergency response vehicles within the drill area along with marker flags placed throughout the area to represent damage and storm victims. Participants were assigned to specific areas and were expected to report how the various emergencies were handled.  

Paramedics also placed triage flags to indicate the severity of the injured and prioritize treatment accordingly. The role of the Plainfield Community Emergency Response Team was also discussed during the drill evaluation. 

Spring and summer storm season has begun and the Plainfield Fire Protection District has some safety reminders for you to keep in mind. 

• A “tornado watch” means that weather conditions are favorable for the development of tornados. This is the time to be on the alert for changing weather conditions and be prepared to seek shelter if needed. Some indicators of a tornado include a dark or greenish colored sky, a low hanging cloud, large hail and a loud roar similar to a freight train.  However not all tornados present with obvious indicators; some can be hidden by rain or not visible due to darkness.
• A “tornado warning” means that a tornado has been detected, either by a storm spotter or radar, and you should seek shelter immediately if you’re within the area that the tornado warning was issued for. Tornado sirens are activated in warned areas and are meant to alert people that are outdoors. There is no all-clear siren, so please monitor weather radio for information on a storm’s location. 
• The safest place during a tornado is indoors, in a basement or storm cellar. If a basement is not available then a small interior room with no windows is another option like a closet or interior hallway.  Avoid corners, windows, doors and outside walls. Try to go to area with as many interior walls as possible between you and the outside walls. Get under something study like a strong table and protect your head and neck with your arms.
• If your outdoors during a tornado warning and cannot find an indoor shelter, try to get into a low-lying area such as a ditch, and cover your head with your hands. Do not get under an overpass or bridge; you are safer in a low, flat location. If there is no low lying area then you may have to seek shelter within your car.  If you have to seek shelter in your car, make sure your seat belt is on, put your head down below the windows and cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat or other cushion if possible.
• After a tornado, be aware of hazards from broken glass, exposed nails, damaged structures, downed power lines and gas leaks. 
• Please make sure your family has an emergency plan in place that includes an emergency kit.