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For Immediate Release
May 16, 2008
Contact: Lee Ann Labecki
(717) 787-7438
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Joint Senate/House Panel Receives Testimony on
Restructuring Pennsylvania's Emergency
Response System
HARRISBURG – On Wednesday, May 14, 2008, the Senate and House
Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness committees held a public hearing as
part of an ongoing effort to improve Pennsylvania's statewide emergency response
system. Committee chairs Senator Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) and Representative Tony
Melio (D-Bucks) were among those exploring how changes to the current system
could improve the way state and local partners work together to prepare for and
respond to emergencies.
"While much has been done to enhance Pennsylvania's emergency
readiness in recent months, continued improvement will require reevaluating our
state's laws that govern the emergency management process," Baker said.
"Elevating the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to cabinet status and
merging it with the Office of Homeland Security are necessary to improving
coordination, communication and ultimately performance."
Also essential to this effort is ensuring that prevention,
planning, response, and recovery phases are considered during the development of
emergency plans. Emergency management officials and fire and emergency medical
service representatives explained how adopting an All Hazards philosophy and
central command and control model will bring Pennsylvania into compliance with
the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
Representative Melio believes that greater involvement by the
private sector in emergency planning is also a necessary step. "The private
sector owns approximately 90 percent of all critical infrastructure," said
Representative Melio. "Clearly this is not something that the state can plan
for in isolation."
The hearing provided an opportunity to consider verbal and
written comments from the emergency management and county officials most
directly impacted by proposed changes.
The Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness committees will
schedule additional hearings to receive further testimony from local government
associations and other vital partners in the emergency management community.
A video of the hearing and copies of testimony can be viewed at
senatorbaker.com.
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