Disaster management topic of course
A representative from the western region of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) will be on hand Wednesday to speak to local elected officials and EMA coordinators about their roles in handling disasters and other emergency management situations. Fayette County EMA director Roy Shipley said the last time a similar course was held for Fayette County officials was about three years ago.
Shipley said the course is geared toward city council members, mayors and township officials and their EMA coordinators. Although not much has changed regarding the codes and laws, Shipley said some new elected officials have come into office.
During the four-hour course, which will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday at the Fayette County Public Service Building, Shipley said the first person on the agenda is the PEMA representative. He said the representative will talk about the basics of emergency management in Pennsylvania all the way up to the federal level. He said the representative will also speak about the state codes and laws.
Later in the session, Shipley and members of his staff will present projects ongoing in the county and the evening will end with a question and answer session.
According to a press release, topics include emergency management organization, comprehensive emergency management, emergency management services code, county programs and projects, Sara Title III overview, E911 overview and summary and conclusion.
Shipley said the course is required by the state. Unfortunately, he estimated that only about half of the county’s 42 municipalities will likely be represented.
All local officials are encouraged to participate in the course with the emergency management coordinator from their jurisdiction. For more information, call the EMA office at 724-430-1277.