The Northern Illinois University Convocation Center is one of three regional hubs used for coordination during a widespread evacuation. According to a news release, the tri-state area consists of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. In the event of a disaster such as severe flooding, a tornado outbreak, catastrophic earthquake or a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear explosion or dispersion, NIU would be a location for processing individuals in order to move them to a more permanent shelter or temporary housing. The exercise is expected to run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 28.
The regional hub exercise involves:
Federal Emergency Management Agency Region V
Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications
Cook County Homeland Security and Emergency Management
DuPage County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Chicago Transit Authority
Amtrak
Metra
American Red Cross
Illinois Emergency Management Agency
Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Porter County Emergency Management Agency
Valparaiso University
NIU Department of Public Safety
NIU Convocation Center
DeKalb County Health Department
DeKalb County Animal Shelter
Ben Gordon Center
T.A.I.L.S.