Operation Tremor: Du Quoin ESDA personnel in Marion to help train southern Illinois for the unthinkable

Du Quoin Emergency Services executives David Searby and Chuck Genesio have been in Marion all week helping Southern Illinois first responders and disaster personnel plan for the unthinkable: an earthquake along the New Madrid fault-line.

Searby is Perry County Emergency Management coordinator and Genesio is Du Quoin Emergency Services coordinator.

"Chuck Genesio and I are down at Operation Tremor in Marion as part of the Illinois Emergency Services Management Association Emergency Management Assistance Team. We are providing emergency management support for the earthquake exercise including disaster intelligence, resource management and logistical support," Searby said.

Operation Tremor is simulating a response to a major earthquake that involves law enforcement officers from Mississippi responding under interstate mutual aid.

The EMAT team working in Marion is comprised of 16 emergency managers from the region and throughout the State.

The agencies are in their last day of testing a regional response plan. Part of that plan involves communications, which Searby and Genesio are experts in. They set up and maintain the mobile command center, which was gifted to Du Quoin emergency services after the city's involvement in the 2003 Tamaroa train derailment.

The exercises were operating out of the Marion Pavilion on the city's south side, Giant City State Park and the Centennial Tank Farm in Creal Springs outside of Marion. Dozens of emergency personnel from out of state are participating, as well. Out-of-state vehicles will be criss-crossing Southern Illinois today as personnel head back to their home states.

The training continues through today.