St. Charles EMA awarded accreditation

ST. CHARLES – A division of the St. Charles Fire Department recently received an accreditation that only 22 other communities in Illinois have, according to a news release.

The St. Charles Emergency Management Agency, or EMA, on Monday officially received its award for “Accredited Agency” status through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. Jonathon Monken, the state agency’s director, made the presentation to St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina, St. Charles Fire Chief Joe Schelstreet and Paul Bumba, coordinator of the St. Charles agency, at the start of the Government Services Committee meeting that took place that day at the St. Charles Municipal Building in St. Charles.

The accreditation demonstrates that the St. Charles EMA is prepared with the proper planning and training in the event of an emergency, disaster or civil defense situation, according to the release.

“Our achievement of Accredited Agency status demonstrates the commitment of the Emergency Management Agency to provide the highest levels of planning and quality service to our community,” Schelstreet wrote in the release. “I am very appreciative of the leadership of EMA coordinator Paul Bumba and the dedication of all EMA members.”

The accreditation process involved hundreds of hours of work and the participation of all city department and elected officials, according to the release.

The documentation is subject to a significant review process before the award is given.

It is a significant undertaking and all of the EMA members are part-time, according to the release.