Karen Wilson-Jasper County Emergency Management

Karen talked to us today about her job and what it includes from both the local level and the state level. She talked about our local group LEPC(Local Emergency Planning commission)that includes law enforcement, fire and other first responders as well as local executives. The group meets at least quarterly to discuss matters of importance to the county residents. Her coordinator for The State Deparment of Homeland Security was also in attendance. The District 1,which includes Jasper, Newton, Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties, mobile command center was available for inspections by Rotary members. The command center is available for emergencies in any and all of the 5 counties in District 1. Russ Shirley brought the command center from Porter County, where it is stationed. He is the EMA Director for Porter County.

The command center is a large truck that has the most modern technology for mapping, internet, radio equipment and telephone equipment. It can be used in any of the counties in District 1 in the event an emergency knocks out our local communication center. There are 5 mobile centers around the state. They are stratigically located based on population.