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For Immediate Release
2/13/08
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Pippy
Bill Creating Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement
System Approved by Committee
Allows counties, municipalities to better respond to natural and manmade
disasters.
Harrisburg – Legislation sponsored by Sen. John Pippy (R-37) to assist
counties and municipalities in responding to disasters has been approved
by the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.
Senate Bill 1225 establishes a statewide Mutual Aid Committee comprised of state,
regional, and local officials, and emergency responders. The committee
is responsible for overseeing the implementation of a statewide mutual
aid system including formalizing mutual aid agreements and clarifying
the roles and responsibilities of Pennsylvania municipalities, state,
and county officials, during disaster responses in which assistance is
needed from outside the community in which the emergency occurred.
The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by
Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), approved the measure February 5 and sent it to
the full Senate for consideration.
"Mutual Aid agreements are important for effective and rapid response to manmade
and natural disasters that require actions beyond the capacity of the
municipality or county in which the incident has occurred," said Pippy.
"Pennsylvania is one of 15 states without a statewide mutual aid
agreement. As a result, mutual aid at the state, county and local
levels is often provided without written agreements and without clearly
defined divisions of responsibility. Such cross-jurisdictional aid
often raises questions about liability and workers compensation
concerns."
If a political subdivision chooses to participate, they may request
assistance of other participating subdivisions. Requests would be
made through the county 911 center, county emergency management
coordinator, authorized designee in the responding county, or the
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. If assistance is requested,
the subdivision will reimburse the responding subdivision.
"Effective and coordinated approach to emergency management often
require clear, written Mutual Aid Agreements, particularly in a state
where we have such a large number of local governments," said Baker, a
co-sponsor of the bill. "It makes sense to work together and
streamline emergency response efforts, so various levels of government
can make the best use of their resources at critical times."
The legislation was drafted in conjunction with the Governor's Office, PEMA and the
University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics. State Fire Commissioner
Edward Mann told the committee that Senator Pippy's legislation is based
on a national model developed in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and
Rita.
"Although the legislation creates a statewide intrastate mutual aid
system, there is a provision that would allow any local government to
opt out of the system. I would ask the committee to approve the bill and
send it to the full Senate for passage," Mann said.
"This measure recognizes that emergencies transcend the boundaries of a
political subdivision and that intergovernmental coordination is
essential for the protection of lives and property, and for the best use
of available public and private assets," said Pippy. "Whether it's
preventing disasters, responding to them, or recovering from them,
cooperation is vital, and clearly-written Mutual Aid Agreements are an
essential part of providing that cooperation."
CONTACT:
Matt
Campion (717) 787-5839 |
