IMERT

05/29/2026

Our moulage team recently held a practice session. Moulage is the art of using stage makeup, wax, gel, and other substances to simulate wounds, burns, fractures, and certain illnesses, greatly enhancing training for emergency responders and hospital personnel during mass-casualty exercises. These pics may be graphic for some but remember it's only makeup.

05/22/2026

We extend our sincere sympathies to the family, friends and all of CFD as they lay to rest Engineer Steven Decker today.

04/28/2026

The Illinois Medical Emergency Response Team (IMERT) extends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Officer John Bartholomew. We are deeply saddened by his tragic loss and recognize the impact it has had on those close to him and the broader community.

03/19/2026

All of us at IMERT extend our sincere sympathies to the family, friends and members of the Chicago Fire Department on the tragic loss of Firefighter EMT Mike Altman.

02/23/2026

Dr. Bernie stepping down from a lifetime of EMS but remains on the IMERT Board of Directors. Congratulations Bernie and Thank you.

After four decades shaping emergency care in the South Suburbs, Bernie Heilicser retired from full-time emergency department shifts on Dec. 31.

10/24/2025

This past weekend some of our staff, new team members and our members from southern Illinois participated in a deployment exercise to Fort Massac State Park in Metropolis. Of course we had to stop by the Superman statue.

08/29/2025

It will be 20 years this Sunday since the first IMERT group gathered in Springfield to drive to Baton Rouge in response to a request for medical assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. They were directed to the campus of Louisiana State University (LSU) where a field hospital was being established for evacuees from the floods. Upon arrival it was apparent that even more providers were needed. So, another call went out to IMERT members and an additional 40 more volunteered. They were flown down in a C130 aircraft along with supplies and equipment provided by the state.
The field hospital eventually provided medical care to close to 6,000 people in 8 days. Hundreds more medical responders from Louisiana, other states, even other countries, were able to come together to provide care, comfort and hope. The students and staff at LSU were brilliant and hospitable working beside us day and night to do whatever was needed. Local officials from Baton Rouge provided guidance and direction and we were in regular contact with both IEMA and IDPH as they ensured our well-being and progress through the mission.
We met so many people who had truly lost everything yet were grateful to be alive and often expressed compassion for others, especially for those who were lost. At times their grief was palpable though they were often buoyed by their faith and humor. We saw ambulances from all around the country converging on Louisiana. We even got a visit from our friends at MABAS as they headed down to New Orleans.
Patients arrived by helicopter, buses, private vehicles and some even managed to walk. Ambulances often held 7-8 people. Some had challenging clinical issues; others just needed some wound care and medications and a safe place to rest and begin to recover.
Overall, every individual who went to help was forever changed by this experience.
Geaux Tigers !!
https://www.lsu.edu/katrina-20th/index.php

07/14/2025

02/09/2025

Over the last two days, staff members and volunteers from IMERT participated in a two day statewide communications exercise dubbed Frozen Prairie 2025; this exercise focused on typical communications that are seen through our state but also alternative means of communications. Typical Starcom21 700/800 mHz, VHF high band and low band, and cellular internet was used but a focus on Satellite internet and HF amateur radio and SHARES/OPSECURE HF radio systems was further tested to be able to communicate if a total system failure.

Multiple agencies from across Illinois took part in the exercise, including the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS), Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS), Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), Illinois National Guard (ILNG), Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Illinois Telecommunicator Emergency Response Team (IL-TERT), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and multiple local agencies hosting Unified Command Post (UCP) and Illinois Transportable Emergency Communications System (ITECS) assets.

This was a first for IMERT deploying some of our amateur radio systems and gives us more practice and experience participating in exercises like Frozen Prairie, ensuring stronger preparedness and coordination for real-world incidents.

11/06/2024

We at IMERT express our sincere sympathy to the family and friends and the Chicago Police Department on the tragic loss of Officer Enrique Martinez.

Police Officer Enrique Martinez, #8314
End of Watch: November 4, 2024

The Chicago Police Department is mourning the loss of a courageous hero who protected our city until the very end. We stand heartbroken alongside his family and loved ones. In grief, we will never forget.