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For Immediate Release
October 30, 2007
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- Sen. Baker
- Sen. Madigan
Senate Committees Hold Hearing to Follow Up on
Witt Report, Ensure Improved State Emergency Preparedness
HARRISBURG – The chairs of the Senate Transportation Committee
and the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee held a
joint public hearing today to receive a status report on the Rendell
administration's implementation of recommendations to improve upon serious
shortfalls in emergency response and transportation management made evident in
the Valentines Day snowstorm earlier this year.
The recommendations were the result of a report issued by James
Lee Witt Associates of Washington D.C. that evaluated the performance of the
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, State Police, Department of
Transportation, and the National Guard during the February storm. The event
stranded hundreds of motorists on I-78, I-81, and I-80 for up to 20 hours in
sub-freezing temperatures.
The Witt Report offered stinging criticisms of Pennsylvania's
emergency preparedness. "There is a remarkable lack of awareness and
understanding of Pennsylvania's emergency management system, including the
emergency alert levels, even among senior agency leaders," the report cited.
Secretary of Transportation Allen Biehler, State Police
Commissioner Jeffrey Miller and newly appointed PEMA director Robert French
provided testimony regarding each agency's efforts to improve their readiness;
technological and human resource enhancements; improved internal communications;
expanded communications with the public, and the development of clearer
interagency emergency operations plans.
Senator Roger Madigan (R-Bradford) said he was pleased with the
apparent progress made to date. "The agencies have been very active in
addressing the problems revealed by last winter's storms and subsequently in the
Witt Report."
"I believe they have correctly focused their efforts on core
areas such as communications and strategic readiness that were major culprits in
the February storm event. Only time will tell us how well the plans can be
implemented," added Madigan.
Baker, who chairs the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency
Preparedness Committee, said "The Witt Report faulted the Commonwealth for not
adopting emergency management as a core principle, and found a lack of awareness
among all levels of the state's system."
"While the testimony given today demonstrates that the agencies
have taken steps to improve planning and employee awareness of proper emergency
management procedures, I think it is important that the administration conduct
an independent after action assessment to determine if the changes made
accurately reflect the recommendations in the Witt report," said Baker.
"There is still much work to be done, including the development
of 511 traveler information system and adding reverse 911 capabilities to better
enhance communication with the public in emergency situations. We will be
continuing to press for these and other improvements to our emergency management
system in the months ahead," added Baker.
Contact:
Lee Ann Labecki (Sen. Baker)
717-787-7428
Craig Shuey (Sen. Madigan)
717-787-3280
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