In an effort to bring greater awareness to emergency weather conditions, Rep. Russ Fairchild (R-Snyder/Union), Republican chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, today secured legislative approval of a resolution proclaiming March 14-20 as “Weather Emergency Preparedness Week” in Pennsylvania.

“As winter comes to a close, the 2009-10 season has recorded the most statewide snowfall in recent memory,” Fairchild said. “The weather conditions created by the February snowstorms should remind us all that we need to take precautions seriously and be prepared for all types of weather emergencies.”

House Resolution 670 recognizes March 14-20 as Weather Emergency Preparedness Week recognizing the efforts of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) in working with county emergency management officials and the National Weather Service. Together, they administer a week-long weather emergency preparedness program to alert citizens and elected officials to severe weather-related dangers.

In addition to educational and public information programs, a three-day statewide exercise provides county and local emergency personnel, schools, hospitals, nursing homes and day-care centers the opportunity to test their emergency response plans and procedures. In doing so, the Emergency Alert System, which provides an essential communications link between government and citizens during an emergency, is tested statewide through more than 400 radio and television stations as part of the week-long weather emergency preparedness program.

“Every time that a statewide disaster is declared for a weather emergency, a number of resources are mobilized to help to respond to the severity of the situation,” Fairchild said. “The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council, of which I am a member, helps state, county and municipal governments prepare for and respond to these disasters. I offer my heartfelt appreciation to all of these governments and their personnel, along with our emergency responders, for helping to protect lives and properties year-round.”

Pennsylvania has been home to most all types of weather emergencies, including snowstorms and blizzards, tornadoes and flooding, and the state’s volunteers and emergency responders have come to the aid of other states facing similar weather emergencies.

“Of the range of natural disasters that can occur across this Commonwealth, flooding is the most common,” Fairchild said. “Pennsylvania is recognized as one of the most flood-prone states, with a 45,000-mile network of rivers, creeks and streams.”

More information about weather preparedness can be found on PEMA’s Web site at www.pema.state.pa.us or www.readypa.org.

Rep. Russ Fairchild
85th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(570) 524-2788
(717) 787-3443

Contact:  Jennifer Algoe Keaton

jkeaton@pahousegop.com

(717) 705-2094

Member site:  RussFairchild.com

Caucus site: PAHouseGOP.com