The document provides information from various agencies regarding weather, transportation, and emergency preparedness. It summarizes a BMW recall notice from the NHTSA and provides tips for preparing for winter storms, such as stocking emergency supplies. It also lists upcoming holidays, observances, and local events over the next month and provides links to monitor space weather, earthquakes, and road conditions.

1. Date: 10 December 2012
No. 1
Time: 0900 hrs. CST / 1500 hrs. UTC
CST = Central Standard Time (UTC minus 6 hours)
UTC = Coordinated Universal Time (aka, GMT or Zulu Time)
Please report relevant information and direct all media inquiries to the DHSEM DUTYDESK via e-mail:
DUTY.DESK@cookcountyil.gov or phone: (312) 603 – 8180 or (312) 603-8185.
Current Operational Situations: Information, Intelligence and Data Reports
http://www.dhs.gov
Information of the Day:
December 6, U.S. Department of Transportation – (National) NHTSA recall notice - 2009-2012 BMW X5 engine belt
idler pulley bolt. BMW announced December 6 the recall of 29,800 model year 2009-2012 X5 xDrive 35d SAV diesel
vehicles manufactured from September 1, 2008 through November 15, 2012. The engine belt idler pulley bolt
could loosen and break over time. If the engine belt idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose
power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and
tighten the idler pulley bolt.
Source:
http://wwwodi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/recallresults.cfm?start=1&SearchType=QuickSearch&rcl_ID=12V550000&sum
mary=true&prod_id=1454777&PrintVersion=YES
Prepare For Winter
Before Winter Storms and Extreme Cold

2. To prepare for a winter storm you should do the following:
 Before winter approaches, add the following supplies to your emergency kit:
 Rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways. Visit the
Environmental Protection Agency for a complete list of recommended products.
 Sand to improve traction.
 Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.
 Sufficient heating fuel. You may become isolated in your home and regular fuel sources may be
cut off. Store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
 Adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm.
 Make a Family Communications Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is
important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do
in case of an emergency.
 Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or other local news channels for critical information from the National
Weather Service (NWS). Be alert to changing weather conditions.
 Minimize travel. If travel is necessary, keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle.
 Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered
areas with non-frozen drinking water.
Count Down To:
Chanukah, Sunset December 8 through December 16 Today
Fast of Tevet 10, December 23 12 Days
Christmas Day, December 25 14 Days
Kwanza, Dec 26 – Jan 01. 15 Days
New Year’s Eve, December 31 20 Days
New Year’s Day 2013 21 Days
Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 14 34 Days
Observances for the Month:
December 10: Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week
December 15: Bill of Rights Day
December 17: Wright Brothers Day
December: National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
December: National Critical Infrastructure Protection Month
Major Local Incidents around Cook County and Collar Counties (Last 24hrs.)
Major Fire Department or MABAS Responses: No significant incidents to report.
Major Law Enforcement or ILEAS Responses: No significant incidents to report.
Heating/Cooling Activations (Past 24 hrs.): None
Local Township Centers Activated: None
County Facilities Activated: None

3. Scheduled Pre-Planned Events or Festivals
Dec 14, 7:30 pm, Chicago Soul FD vs. Milwaukee Blast
Dec 16, 12 pm, Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers
Dec 10 – 31, Navy Pier, Winter Wonderfest presented by Bank of America
Dec 14 – 30, Times vary, Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring The Rockettes
Space Weather: (http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html) (http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/SWN/index.html)
Additional information: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/NOAAscales/
Earthquake Activity: (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/)

4. Cook County River & Stream Status: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lot
Cook County Road and Construction Issues for further and more detailed information go to:
http://www.travelmidwest.com/lmiga/home.jsp

5. Northern Cook County
Central and Southern Cook County