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Local Emergency Management Programs
Matthew J. Bubenko, Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator
& National Incident Management System Point of Contact
Emergency Management is a legal responsibility and function of
local, county, state and federal government.
Over the past two decades, federal and state laws were amended
to include natural, technological and man-made disaster mitigation,
preparedness, response and recovery programs. National attention
to emergency management began in the early 1950s with emphasis
on civil defense or enemy attack preparedness.
Pennsylvania’s Emergency Management Services Code (35 Pa.
C. S. Section 7101-7707) became law in 1978 and replaced the State
Council of Civil Defense Act of 1951. The 1978 Act consolidated
existing state laws and updated the role of emergency management
within the Commonwealth. Amendments to this Act in 1988 and 1989
further focused the role of emergency management personnel, organizations
and responsibilities.
Emergency Management Coordinator
The coordinator works for and is responsible to the municipal
elected officials who set the direction, programs and policies
for emergency management in our community. The duties and responsibilities
of municipal coordinators, on behalf of their elected officials,
are outlined in Chapter 75 of Title 35 and are summarized as follows:
Prepare and maintain an emergency operations plan, following
the state established format.
Manage and mobilize the equipment and staff of the municipal
emergency operations center (EOC) when appropriate and as directed
by the municipal elected officials.
Attend and successfully complete all training scheduled by the
county and/or PEMA as outlined in PEMA Directive “Emergency
Management Training and Education”.
Survey, organize and coordinate all municipally available manpower,
materials, supplies, equipment, facilities and services necessary
for disaster emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.
Recommend mitigation measures to reduce disaster effects.
Coordinate with other municipal emergency service agencies and
public and private entities in achieving your duties and responsibilities.
Have current appropriate plans, procedures, guidance and laws
issued by the county, PEMA and the Governor available within your
EOC. Have knowledge of the federal and state required plans for
your jurisdiction concerning emergencies at dams, chemical and
nuclear plants, schools, day cares, hospitals, prisons and nursing
home facilities.
Provide prompt and accurate information regarding municipal
disaster emergencies to the appropriate municipal, county and
Commonwealth officials and agencies and the general public.
Participate in all tests, drills and exercises, including remedial
drills and exercises that pertain to your municipality, as scheduled
by the county, state or the Federal government.
Participate in the integrated flood warning systems program
as applicable for your municipality.
Develop mutual aid agreements as applicable with adjacent municipalities
for reciprocal emergency assistance.
Emergency Management Division:
The Emergency Management Division is made up of personell trained
in areas which could be called upon by an emergency. Pennsylvania
Statutes require that every municipality maintains an Emergency
Management function, and charges each municipality with the responsibility
of managing any emergency which occurs within its borders. Somerset
County, the state of Pennsylvania and the Federal Government can
all provide assistance at such a time, they only do so upon request
and after the municipality has exhausted its resources.
The Emergency Management Division reports to our Elected Officials
through our Emergency Management Coordinator. Members can provide
the Elected Officials and the community with a broad variety of
services, any one or all which may be called upon during an emergency.
Included in those services are communications within the Division,
with First Responders and County officials.
Online Training
- FEMA
Independent Study Program offers many courses dealing
with different topics.
Disasters Affect Everyone
Emergencies are not just limited to adults. Disasters affect everyone.
And so it takes everyone - Youth, parents, and community members
- to help prepare. Ready.gov provides wonderful information to
help youth, parents, and educators prepare.
Other Links:
Pennsylvania
Emergency Management Agency (PEMA)
Somerset
County Public Safety Expressor
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