ESDA reveals new unified command post truck

Times staff writer

PEKIN - The Emergency Services and Disaster Agency came to Pekin Tuesday morning to reveal Tazewell County's new unified command post truck.

One of 13 in the state, the truck will be available to respond to local emergencies. The 13 trucks have been strategically placed throughout the state of Illinois.

The truck will be used for such things as terrorist attacks, flooding, tornados, or other large scale events. It will offer a secure headquarters for emergency personnel.

The UCP can be moved from place to place without breaking communication with emergency response dispatchers.

Bill Nowlin, director of the Tazewell County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, said that Tuesday was the first day most of the Pekin Fire Department members had a chance to view the UCP truck.

Nowlin said that if the UCP were needed for an emergency situation, a team of ESDA officers will arrive on the scene and operate the suites for local officials.

The UCP can be leveled automatically, using lifts, for optimal operating in the worst of conditions. Nowlin said this ability is important in case the truck were called to an emergency situation with rough terrain.

Inside the truck are inter-operable communication suites, external cameras, data communication, a unified command suite, portable radios, laptops, communications channels and dry-erase boards.

Nowlin said the truck cost an estimated $250,000 to build. It will be stationed in Tremont.

During the short press conference Tuesday, Nowlin told reporters he hopes the UCP will never have to be used.