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Rutzen named to emergency management post
Dagmar Rutzen recently was promoted to the position of chief deputy director at the Maine Township Office of Emergency Management.
Updated: January 14, 2013 4:47PM
MAINE TOWNSHIP – A longtime Maine Township Office of Emergency Management volunteer, Dagmar Rutzen recently was promoted to the position of chief deputy director.
With this new title, Dagmar will be more involved in the daily operations of the agency, such as training the volunteer members. She will also work more closely with community partners of the agency. A trustee of the North Maine Fire Protection District and a retired teacher, Rutzen resides in unincorporated Maine Township.
Q: What was your previous position with the OEM and what did that job entail?
A: I was the deputy director of operations. Anytime we had some kind of detail I was in charge of finding people and making sure people were where they needed to be and vehicles were ready to go. I monitored people at their jobs. I took a CERT (Citizens Emergency Response Team) class that teaches people how to take care of themselves and their neighbors in any kind of emergency. From there, I got kind of hooked in the emergency management agency. I have always felt if you live in the community you should give something back to the community.
Q: What is your new position, and what new responsibilities will you have?
A: This is a part-time paid position. I am chief deputy director of the Office of Emergency Management. I will work more closely with the township.
Q: How do you feel about OEM services?
A: I think they get very good service. When we’ve had flooding or power lines that are down or any kind of emergency, we’re there. It doesn’t make any difference what hour of the day or night. I think we have a great group of volunteers who rise to the occasion. We also help at community events like the Taste of Park Ridge. The Fire Department will call us to provide lighting in the middle of the night.
Q: How did you feel about being promoted?
A: I was happy to do the job.
Q: What was your previous profession?
A: I am a retired school teacher. I loved teaching. I taught math and science at middle school for most of the time.
Q: What other organizations are you involved in?
A: I’ve taught Boy Scouts swimming over 40 years at the Playdium in Glenview.
Q: You are also a trail guide at Starved Rock State Park. Do you have a strong love of nature?
A: Yes, I do. I give guided hikes for each of the seasons. I talk about the flowers and the trees and whatever is in season.
Q: How do you feel about Maine Township in general?
A: I think it’s a nice community. Our township provides us with good services.
