Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency today announced that 13 staff members were honored with the Governor’s Awards for Excellence by Governor Josh Shapiro for their exemplary work in supporting Pennsylvania’s response and recovery efforts during Tropical Storm Debby in August 2024. Staff members are:
- Philip Barker
- Gregory Davis Jr.
- Richard Deal
- Molly Dougherty
- Larry Dove
- Thomas Hughes
- Matthew McGeary
- Robert Meinert
- Gregory Pijar
- Jonathan Skripka
- Michael Stalnecker
- Robert Then
- Lawrence West
"I am proud of the work this team accomplished, collaborating with other state agency and federal partners to make a tremendous difference in the lives of survivors in the immediate days, weeks, and months following the devastating flooding."
— PEMA Director Randy Padfield
PEMA helped Pennsylvania communities in the immediate aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby to quickly assess damage and manage immediate needs in support of the residents that were most impacted.
"These PEMA team members provided expertise in disaster response and recovery operations to assist their fellow Pennsylvanians in their hour of greatest need," Director Padfield said.
The Pennsylvania Incident Management Team, known as the PA-IMT, deployed for several weeks in August to northcentral Pennsylvania, helping our neighbors get back on their feet after devastating flooding and damage caused by Debby. The PA-IMT helped manage and supervise the removal of more than 1,300 tons of flood-generated household waste such as water heaters, carpeting, furniture, drywall, and other construction debris.
The team oversaw intake, storage, and distribution of the overwhelming amount of donations that poured in from all over Pennsylvania and New York.
Over the course of the 12-day deployment, many members of the PA-IMT went above and beyond to support flooding survivors, helping to track down the owner of a journal found covered in mud and digging through a trash pile to help a community member find an envelope of cash which he had mistakenly thrown away.
While the PA-IMT supported cleanup and immediate recovery efforts during the deployment, PEMA's area offices and disaster recovery office worked with local, county, and federal partners to secure resources and funding to help families and communities rebuild. These teams were responsible for helping with the following:
- Supporting county-led Multi-Agency Resource Centers at Cowanesque Valley High School in Tioga County, Northern Potter High School in Potter County, and Hepburn Township Volunteer Fire Company in Lycoming County, bringing multiple agencies to provide information and access to documents needed for families, businesses, and farmers to recover.
- Providing support with damage assessments needed to qualify for Federal Assistance, including:
- U.S. Small Business Administration Low-Interest Disaster Loans
- FEMA Individual Assistance grants for homeowners and renters
- FEMA Public Assistance grants for community infrastructure
- FEMA Hazard Mitigation grants to reduce future risk
- Supporting federal-led Disaster Recovery Centers in multiple counties.
The teamwork of these 13 individuals undoubtably made a difference in the lives of hundreds of their fellow Pennsylvanians, and PEMA is proud to join Governor Shapiro today in recognizing their selfless, dedicated accomplishments in service to the Commonwealth.
The Governor’s Awards for Excellence recognize individuals and groups of state employees for exemplary job performance or service that reflects initiative, leadership, innovation, and increased efficiency.
The PEMA team of 13 staff are among 99 employees from nine agencies being honored by Governor Shapiro for exceptional accomplishments in 2024.