Grainger partners with state disaster group
NEWS-SUN STAFF REPORT October 31, 2012 4:40PM
Lake Forest-based W.W. Grainger Inc. | Sun-Times Media file
Updated: December 2, 2012 2:06PM
LAKE FOREST — The Illinois Emergency Management Agency has entered into a partnership with W.W. Grainger, the business-to-business distributor of facilities maintenance products.
The agreement will enhance the state’s ability to understand the impact of an emergency, more effectively respond to disasters and speed recovery for affected communities, according to IEMA officials.
Under the agreement, Lake Forest-based Grainger will assist the state’s emergency preparedness, response and recovery efforts by providing expertise and situational awareness about a disaster’s impact, as well as assisting with logistics management of critical supplies following a disaster.
“Businesses like Grainger are important partners for emergency management before, during and after a disaster,” said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. “Grainger has embraced a preparedness culture as a company and has participated in local preparedness efforts in Lake County, where their headquarters is located. Through our engagement, Grainger now will be a strong partner with the state during disaster response and recovery efforts.”
“Emergency preparedness is a core component of driving community resilience and we all have a role to play in preparing for disasters,” said Lee Cox, Grainger vice president, government and health care segments. “At Grainger, we know first-hand that a community’s capacity to respond before, during and following a disaster relies heavily on its relationships and resources. Understanding the needs as well as the capabilities and expertise existing within impacted communities helps strengthen those relationships.”
Monken said Grainger sets a good example for business disaster preparedness.
In June 2012, Grainger partnered with the Army Reserve 335 Signal Command (Theater) and the Lake County Emergency Management Agency to host a full-scale disaster exercise at its Lake Forest headquarters. More than 200 people representing businesses, along with public partners from federal, state and local jurisdictions, participated in the event, which centered around hands-on training to help strengthen the relationships between public and private organizations.
