Part of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government is recognizing efforts in Central Illinois to prepare for disasters. Peoria Public Radio’s Alex Rusciano reports:
The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation recognized Central Illinois Public Information Officers as part of its Bright Ideas in Government program. It honors the efforts of a public relations committee locally to use churches, businesses and government agencies as centers to get out important information during a disaster. Peoria County Communications Director Jenny Fulton says the group has 100 potential information center locations in the five-county area:
“Rather than waste time after the disaster trying to secure a location, we have it in advance, we make a phone call, they open it up and we use their facility.”
Fulton says securing temporary disaster centers helped efficiently get out information during the 2013 Washington tornado and the Elmwood tornado five years ago.