By Anna Hughes

You can never be too prepared.

That’s the foundation of Oak Brook’s Emergency Services Disaster Agency (ESDA). ESDA members are trained to support the village in case of emergency by helping prepare residents, support responders, and aid in recovery efforts in cooperation with local, state, and federal governmental entities, as well as private sector agencies.

The volunteer-based group was formed in February with the end goal of getting dedicated community members engaged while simultaneously lessening the burden of first responders in a crisis situation.

During the group’s genesis, village leaders knew they needed to start with a committed team of locals. They immediately looked to Donald Ziemann, who – along with his wife Denise – has been a volunteer with the Oak Brook Citizens Police Academy (CPA) since 2017. He was honored to be considered as their inaugural volunteer coordinator and graciously accepted.

“I volunteer with a few other organizations within DuPage County, but Oak Brook is where I live and where I feel I can make [the] biggest difference,” Ziemann said. “Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and cement new relationships.”

Ziemann, a senior financial analyst at North-western Medicine, has lived in Oak Brook for 17 years. His work in a healthcare environment complements his passion for volunteering, and he encourages others to do the same – especially with the ESDA.

“Volunteering [with the ESDA] is a great way for anyone to get involved within their community and an efficient way to expand the village’s emergency responder base,” Ziemann said. “This program is a perfect way for our team to serve their fellow citizens and make the Village of Oak Brook a safer place to live.”

The group currently has six active members, and they are hoping to recruit up to 24 people willing to commit five to 10 hours each month for training, work activities, emergency response activities, and community outreach. All volunteers are trained in the same concentrations: Incident Command’s “Seven Critical Tasks;” Introduction to NIMS (National Incident Management System); First Aid CPR & AED; Traffic & Crowd Control; Emergency Vehicle Operations; Radio Communications; Search & Rescue Awareness; Hazardous Materials Awareness; and more. Throughout their various roles, volunteers will report to the assistant village manager, who has decades of law enforcement and emergency operations experience.

“I love [working with the village and our first responders], and it is a great group of people to be around,” Ziemann said. “The opportunity to interact and work side by side with the dedicated men and women in our village is priceless.”

ESDA is looking for volunteers

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
• Be a minimum of 18 years of age.
• Have a valid Illinois driver’s license.
• Be available to respond during emergency and stressful situations.
• Be of good moral character and pass a background check.
• Able to endure extended periods of heavy physical activity under a variety of environmental conditions that may occur.