ROCKFORD (WREX) -
More than 10 public and private agencies are paying attention to how people are—or maybe aren't—handling the heat this week. And if you need help, the first place to start is Rockford's Human Services Department.
"Often times, (children and seniors) are at the most risk in this kind of a crisis and may not get this information or know how to access it," said City of Rockford Human Services Executive Director George Davis. "So it's very important that we all check on our neighbors, especially those that we know might be in a compromised situation or a situation that could put them at risk."
The unified command is a part of the National Incident Management System, or NIMS, which provides a common management structure, allowing both public and private agencies to work together, easily. Headquartered at Rockford Fire headquarters, the unified command will be in place until the threat of the hot weather passes.
Representatives from the county health department, human services and hospitals will monitor all heat-related events and determine how to better allocate their resources.
With temperatures forecast in the upper 90s, officials urge residents to stay hydrated and check on the elderly and young children. And don't be afraid to ask for help.
"We can suffer enormous damage to our population, here in this community, if we are not aware of some of the issues related to this current, potential heat crisis," said Region 1 Associate Medical Director John Rudzinski.
Rudzinski says the weather the Stateline is seeing now and will see in the coming days is similar to the heat wave of 1995, which killed over 700 people in Chicago. Winnebago County saw 12 heat-related deaths during the same time period.
If you don't have a way to stay cool, there's a list of cooling centers in Winnebago and Boone counties here. Also, the Human Services Department will be staffed around the clock, to answer any questions or if you need non-emergency assistance. Their number is: (815) 987-5711.
