Governor Wolf Announces Pennsylvania Emergency Management Program Receives National Accreditation

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Wolf announced today that the commonwealth has received national reaccreditation by the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) Commission for meeting certain standards and demonstrating compliance in 16 areas, including: planning; resource management; training; exercises, evaluations, and corrective actions; and communications and warning.

"Being prepared for the next emergency we may face is a top priority," said Governor Wolf.  "This accreditation shows how hard my administration is working to be prepared to respond to any event."

EMAP is a voluntary accreditation process for state, territorial and local government programs that coordinate preparedness and response activities for all disasters.  To achieve accreditation status, PEMA, as the lead agency, had to document compliance with all 63 national standards. PEMA and multiple state agencies were required to demonstrate, through program assessment, documentation and onsite visits from an independent team, that its emergency management program meets national standards. 

The Emergency Management Accreditation Program is part of a national effort to establish a baseline measurement of the nation's emergency management capabilities.  It helps states improve their ability to prepare for, and respond to, emergencies and disasters of all kinds.

Achieving reaccreditation means Pennsylvania's Emergency Management Program has met or exceeded nationally recognized standards, and demonstrates that Pennsylvania is prepared and capable of serving its citizens during times of emergency. Pennsylvania received its initial accreditation in 2005.

Accreditation is valid for five years from the date the EMAP Commission grants accreditation. Accredited programs must maintain compliance with EMAP standards and be reassessed in five years to maintain accredited status.

Governor Tom Wolf recently signed Executive Order 2015-06, which directs that the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) develop and manage the Pennsylvania State Emergency Operations Plan, which will allow PEMA to prepare for any potential danger to the commonwealth or its people.

More information about EMAP and the standards used in accreditation is available at http://www.emaponline.org/.

For more information please visit the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Web site at www.pema.pa.gov.   

Citizens can prepare for emergencies before they happen by creating home and vehicle emergency kits with basic supplies. Downloadable checklists, as well as other valuable emergency preparedness information, are available online at www.ReadyPA.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Cory P. Angell, 717-651-2009

SOURCE Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us/