Elburn looking for residents to join new emergency team

The village of Elburn is looking for residents interested in becoming a certified member of a citizens emergency response team.

At Monday's village board meeting, the board gave the go-ahead to the police department to apply for a reimbursable $8,000 grant with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

The funds are available to Illinois through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Elburn will be reimbursed after the money is spent.

The village will offer 18 hours of training, beginning in late March, to prepare volunteers to assist in emergencies such as tornadoes, storms and flooding.

"We'll teach the basics in first aid, fire suppression, and search and rescue," said Elburn police Sgt. Ron Brandenburg, who is coordinating the program along with part-time village employee Dave Gualdoni.

"We're going to train them to help themselves and their families first, then others in their neighborhood," Brandenburg said.

He added that training for a second level of certification beyond the 18 hours also will be offered so volunteers can assist throughout the village.

"They'll be helping the first responders," Gualdoni said. He and Brandenburg will conduct the training. ComEd also is expected to give lessons on how to handle a downed power line, Nicor on how to stop gas leaks, and Union Pacific/Metra on procedures after a train crash.

For more information, call Brandenburg at (630) 365-5070.