PEMA to Host Public Meetings to Gather Input on State's All-Hazards Mitigation Plan

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is looking for public input on a plan designed to help to save lives when disaster strikes.

"The All-Hazards Mitigation Plan is one of the vital tools used in emergency management to lessen the impact of disasters in Pennsylvania," said PEMA Director Robert P. French. "We're looking for public input as we go through this process."

The updated plan will be the blueprint for further reducing property damage and saving lives from the effects of future natural and human-made disasters. The plan, last updated in 2007, must be updated again in order for all local governments in the state to be eligible to receive certain types of state and federal funding.

PEMA will host a series of Hazard Mitigation Outreach Sessions to allow the public to give input on the draft plan as the agency reviews the statewide risk assessment and proposed hazard mitigation solutions.  Residents, local officials, industry representatives, educators, and others are encouraged to attend.

Sessions are scheduled as follows:

Northwest Region: April 26 from 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. at Brookville Hospital Education Conference Center, 100 Hospital Rd., Brookville, PA 15825.

Southwest Region: April 27 from 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. at Community College of Beaver County, Building 9 Room 103, 1 Campus Dr.,

Monaca, PA 15061.

Northeast Region: April 28 from 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. at PPL East Mountain Business Center, 1190 East Mountain Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.

Southeast Region: April 29 from 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. at Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus Auditorium, 1175 Conshohocken Rd., Conshohocken, PA 19428 (access only from Ridge Pike.)

North Central Region: May 3 from 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. at Pennsylvania College of Technology, Klump Auditorium, One College Ave., Williamsport, PA 17701.

South Central Region: May 4 from 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. at Harrisburg Area Community College—York Campus, Arthur J. Glatfelter Community Room, 2161 Pennsylvania Ave., York, PA 17404.

Anyone seeking more information on how to become involved in the update process should contact Tom Hughes, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, at 717- 651-2726 or [email protected].

French also reminds Pennsylvanians of available resources that can help them prepare and respond to emergencies. Materials such as home and car emergency kit checklists and emergency plan templates can be obtained at www.ReadyPA.org or by calling 1-888-9-READYPA.

Media contact: Ruth A. Miller, 717-651-2009

SOURCE Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency