HARRISBURG – In his role as Chair of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis today convened the council for its first regularly scheduled meeting of the Shapiro-Davis Administration.
“One of the most important functions of state government is responding quickly and effectively to public emergencies and disasters, and emergency response is a high priority for the Shapiro-Davis Administration,” said Davis. “The first step for an effective emergency response is preparing before disaster strikes, and that’s why we brought the council together today.”
Today’s meeting agenda included updates on disaster declarations for flooding in Berks, Bucks and Northampton counties, the I-95 bridge collapse and the East Palestine train derailment. Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency leaders provided updates on 911 and hazardous materials funding, and Homeland Security officials provided updates on state and local cybersecurity grant programs.
The statute creating the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council requires the council to hold an emergency meeting within 72 hours of a disaster declaration and regular meetings at least three times a year.
In June, Davis led a required meeting of the council to review Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency after the I-95 bridge collapse.
Council members include the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, cabinet secretaries whose agencies have emergency response and recovery capabilities, General Assembly leaders, county and municipal government association representatives, labor, business and industry, and the private sector.
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