Rockford planning for future disasters

ROCKFORD - Rockford officials continue to work on a new emergency action plan in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.

The safety committee began devising the plan with village administrator Jeff Long last summer. They expect to have it completed by spring.

During the Tuesday night village council meeting, safety committee head Ron Searight said state regulations recommend those involved in creating the plan take a one-day course.

Searight said he recently learned about the course and now wonders if he is not aware of other state requirements. Long said he plans to meet with Mercer County Emergency Management Director Mike Robbins to work out any issues.

"We want to develop the plan as soon as possible so we can be ready," Long said this morning. "We don't want a plan for the sake of having a plan. Time is really important in an emergency, and we want a plan in place to act quickly on."

Long said he would meet with Searight and other officials to go over any state regulations and to schedule attending the course.

"If we're going to have one (an emergency plan), we need to make sure we meet state requirements," Long said.

Searight said they are modeling Burkettsville's plan developed in 2006.

Also at Tuesday's meeting, solicitor Judy Koesters swore in mayor Amy Joseph and council members Gary Hodge and Greg Pontsler.

Hodge, who is head of the service committee, said a residence in town needs cleaned and he is working with the property owner to get that done.

Searight scheduled a safety committee meeting for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Economic development committee chairperson Gene Steiner said the next Rockford Area Development Corporation meeting will be 7 p.m. Jan. 23 in the library basement. The next council meeting is 7:30 Jan. 17 at the village hall.