Governor Rendell Declares Weather Emergency Preparedness Week in Pennsylvania

ReadyPA.org Offers Tips to be Better Prepared

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell has proclaimed March 14-20 as "Weather Emergency Preparedness Week," during which local, county and state officials will review and test emergency plans and procedures for responding to severe weather.

"The flooding during the past weekend and last month's severe winter storms serve as timely reminders that we always need to be ready for the unexpected," said Governor Rendell. "Weather Emergency Preparedness Week should raise awareness of the need for municipalities, businesses and citizens across the state to examine and test their emergency plans and make any changes necessary to protect lives and property.

"Your family's emergency plan can be used to prepare and respond to any type of emergency, and should be reviewed regularly. Having a well-rehearsed emergency plan in place can protect property, prevent injuries and save lives."

Governor Rendell said ReadyPA, the state's initiative to help citizens prepare for disaster, offers tips on creating an emergency plan and emergency kits for homes and vehicles. Information is available at www.ReadyPA.org or by calling 1-888-9-READYPA (1-888-973-2397).

Some of the planned "Weather Emergency Preparedness Week" activities will include community-based public information programs, a one-day exercise, and the statewide monthly test of the Emergency Alert System network used by broadcasters.

Each of the 67 county emergency management coordinators, all school districts, more than 300 hospitals and 600 nursing homes, and day care centers across the state have been invited to participate in the week of activities. Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Robert P. French said that during the exercise, state and county emergency managers will work with local municipalities to test and review emergency response plans.

PEMA and the National Weather Service will issue exercise-based weather reports of developing conditions. Reports will be carried via normal weather forecast outlets and the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. The messages will be identified as being part of the exercise.

The commonwealth's ReadyPA campaign encourages citizens to take three basic steps: Be Informed, Be Prepared, Be Involved. More detailed information, including downloadable checklists and emergency plan templates, is available online at www.ReadyPA.org or by calling 1-888-9-READY-PA.

Media contacts:

Maria A. Finn, PEMA; 717-651-2009

Michael Smith, Governor’s Office; 717-783-1116

Editor's Note: The text of the Governor's proclamation follows.

Weather Emergency Preparedness Week

March 14-20, 2010

Whereas, severe weather impacts many Pennsylvania communities and leaves citizens, municipalities and businesses dealing with widespread damage to public and private property; and

Whereas, Pennsylvania is recognized as one of the most flood prone states in the nation and, of the range of natural disasters that can occur in the Commonwealth, flooding is by far the most common because of our mountainous terrain and our nation-leading 83,000-mile network of rivers, creeks and streams; and

Whereas, heavy rains and flash flooding may result in extensive damage to roads, streets, bridges, private homes and businesses, and may threaten the lives of the general population; and

Whereas, it is the responsibility of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) to assist state, county, and municipal governments in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters; and

Whereas, each year, PEMA, along with county emergency management officials and the U.S. National Weather Service, administers a week-long weather emergency preparedness program to alert citizens and elected officials of severe weather related dangers; and

Whereas, in addition to educational and public information programs, a statewide exercise held on March 18th provides county and local emergency personnel, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and daycare centers the opportunity to test the effectiveness of their emergency response plans and procedures; and

Whereas, the Pennsylvania Emergency Alert System, which provides an essential communications link between government and citizens during an emergency, will be tested statewide through 400 radio and television stations; and

Whereas, in recognition of the need to adequately prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies, it is critical to support educational and training programs throughout the Commonwealth.

Therefore, I, Edward G. Rendell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim March 14-20, 2010, as WEATHER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEEK in Pennsylvania.

Given under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, on this twelfth day of March in the year of our Lord, two thousand and ten, and of the Commonwealth the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

Edward G. Rendell, Governor

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor