Chuck Genesio retires from Du Quoin Emergency Services
In 2003 Du Quoin Emergency Services became the gold standard in Illinois for establishing local disaster plans and then executing that plan for a best outcome. It was during the Tamaroa chemical train derailment.
Chuck Genesio, David Searby, Doug Clark and others were instrumental in Du Quoin being ready for anything.
Genesio went on to become president of the Illinois Emergency Services Management Association (IESMA) in 2011.
Monday night the Du Quoin City Council accepted his retirement resignation as emergency services coordinator. Clark will be appointed to fill that vacancy at the next council meeting. Searby will continue as operations director.
Genesio commands the respect of agencies statewide for his planning ability and his commitment to updating emergency equipment and training. He and Searby garnered tens of thousands of dollars in grants and equipment.
It wasn't that way in the early going of Genesio's 32-year career in emergency services. City attorney and commissioner Kathy West recounted Monday how after the death of Lou Ozburn and son Jerry Ozburn's move to the south, Du Quoin was left with one ratty Civil Defense truck, a Jeep and a portable generator with lights.
"Mayor John Rednour was just about to end it," West said. "Then Chuck said 'Let me try.'"
The organization began, the training began and the grant applications started flying. Today, the department is well equipped, well trained and ESDA has put all of these homegrown resources at the state's disposal, which calls upon them often.
Genesio holds accreditation as an Illinois Professional Emergency Manager and is member of the IESMA Emergency Management Assistant Team. As he retired, Genesio received the Louise Tilford Pierce Executive Board Member Award for outstanding service to the State of Illinois.
He also serves as the Assistant Coordinator for the Perry County Emergency Management Agency. In a letter to the council, he said he will continue to help when and where he can.
In other action, the council:
• Approved a Pinckneyville/Du Quoin Airport Improvement Program Grant Acceptance agreement that will provide for a grant to extend the airport runway and overlay the existing surface.
• Approved and accepted a bid of $95,000 from Les Marlow of Perry County Roofing that will replace the storm-damaged roof at city hall and provide painting, new ceiling tile and carpeting where those areas were damaged.
• Received an update on status of Du Quoin business district plan.
• Received a downtown sidewalk construction status update