BURNHAM | Officials said they are making progress on a new village-wide disaster plan, but not fast enough for critics of Village President Robert Polk.

Fire Chief Andy Horberg reported that he is working on the first draft of a plan. It would give information to residents about how to respond in an emergency.

"We're trying to put together a plan for the citizens. What the citizens would have is different from what we would work with as department heads," Horberg said.

Former trustee Kim Petrisha angrily denounced Polk and the Village Board for not publishing a disaster plan to the public. She claimed that a plan is required by state law and was needed during the recent floods.

Polk answered that the village has been using department disaster plans for years. Burnham department heads are supposed to direct residents in case of an accident or natural disaster. Each department's own disaster plan is for internal use only, Polk said.

Polk suggested Tuesday that Petrisha shared the blame for the lack of a formal village disaster plan. She was responsible for working on the plan before losing a re-election bid, Polk said.

"You were on the board for five years, and you did not produce a plan, either," Polk said.

Petrisha furiously denied that she should have drafted the plan while on the board, calling Polk a liar and a crook.