EMA News & Views C o u n t y o f L yc o m i n g E m e r g e n c y M a n a g e m e n t Ag e n c y Volume 13, Issue 1 Winter 2013 COUNTY OF LYCOMING EMA QUARTERLY TRAINING (Emergency Management Coordinators serving the municipalities of Lycoming County) The next County of Lycoming EMA Quarterly Training will be held on: THURSDAY - March 21, 2013-6:30 pm APPRECIATION DINNER HOLIDAY INN - WILLIAMSPORT 100 PINE STREET, WILLIAMSPORT, PA 17701 KEYNOTE SPEAKER: BYRON JESSEE, DUKE ENERGY LAUREL HILL WIND ENERGY SITE MANAGER MEETING TOPIC DETAILS Our keynote speaker for the Annual Appreciation Dinner will be Byron Jessee from Duke Energy. Byron is the site manager for Laurel Hill Wind Energy, Duke Energy s newest site. Byron will discuss the new wind energy site located within Lycoming County. He will also give a presentation about how wind energy works as well as how it impacts the local community and economy. IN THIS NEWSLETTER PEMA Certifications Received 2 County EMA Needs Your EOP 3 Vacant EMC Position 3 PEMA Fact Sheet Floods & Flash Floods Notes From the Director 6 Natural Gas Activity 6 Upcoming EMA Classes 7 Earthquake Safety Checklist 8 Lycoming County CCC-CERT Training 9 Quarterly Training at the Armed Forces Reserve Center 4,5 10 Quarterly Training Schedule 11 We Want to Hear From You 11 Contact Us 11
Page 2 PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION RECEIVED At the Lycoming County EMA Quarterly Training on December 13, 2012, Susquehanna Township EMC, Jim Pfleegor was presented his PEMA Professional Certification. Jim has been serving as EMC for his Township since 1985. He is also a Telecommunicator at the Lycoming County 9-1-1 Center. Please join the EMA staff in congratulating Jim on this great achievement! BASIC CERTIFICATION RECEIVED At the Lycoming County EMA Quarterly Training on December 13, 2012, Plunketts Creek Township EMC, Tom Schafer was presented his PEMA Basic Certification. This is an especially great achievement since Tom has only been EMC for his Township since being appointed by the Governor on March 12, 2012! Please join the EMA staff in congratulating Tom on this very satisfying achievement!
Page 3 COUNTY EMA OFFICE NEEDS YOUR REVISED EOP The County EMA office still needs revised/updated EOPs from the listed municipalities. If you need help completing yours, please contact the EMA office at 570-433-4461. Copies of the templates are available at the county website, www.lyco.org and then clicking on Emergency Management Agency in the left-hand column. We also have the templates on CD for those who do not have internet access. Remember, if you are not going to do the updated EOP format, you need to file an updated Maintenance & Concurrence page for your plan. You are required by the state to review your plan at least every 2 years. The dates listed are when updates were due to the county EMA office. Please make arrangements as soon as possible to have your issue resolved. MUNICIPALITY UPDATE DUE MUNICIPALITY UPDATE DUE Armstrong Township 8/31/2011 McIntyre Township 7/13/2012 Bastress Township 8/1/2012 McNett Township 6/3/2009 Brady Township 7/28/2012 Muncy Creek Township 7/18/2012 Duboistown Borough 9/1/2012 Penn Township 4/23/2009 Franklin Township 7/27/2012 Shrewsbury Township 12/10/2008 Hepburn Township 8/1/2012 Upper Fairfield Twp. 6/27/2011 Limestone Township 8/1/2012 Washington Township 11/4/2007 Lycoming Township 7/21/2012 VACANT EMC POSITIONS In accordance with Title 35, all municipalities in the Commonwealth must have an Emergency Management Coordinator. Currently, the following does not. If you or anyone you know would be interested in this position, please contact the Lycoming County EMA office at 570-433-4461. MCNETT TOWNSHIP
Page 4 FLOODS & FLASH FLOODS Pennsylania is one of the most flood-prone states in the nation. From rural areas to suburban communities, floods - especially flash floods - are a constant concern. BEFORE Find out if you live in a flood-prone area from your local emergency management office Learn flood warning signs and you community alert signals Request information on preparing for floods and flash floods If you live in a frequently flooded area, stockpile emergency building materials (plywood, plastic sheeting, nails, hammer, saw, etc.) Plan and practice an evacuation route Have disaster supplies on hand Flashlights and extra batteries Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries First aid kit and manual Emergency food and water Non-electric can opener Essential medicines Cash and credit cards Sturdy shoes Develop an emergency communications plan In case family members are separated from one another during floods or flash floods, have a plan for getting back together Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the family contact. Make sure everyone knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity and water Teach children how and when to dial 9-1-1, and which radio station to listen to for emergency information CONTINUE ON PAGE 5
Page 5 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 DURING A FLOOD If indoors: Turn on battery-operated radio to get the latest emergency information Get your preassembled emergency supplies If told to leave, do so immediately If outdoors: Climb to high ground and stay there Avoid walking through any floodwaters. If it is moving swiftly, even water 6 inches deep can sweep you off your feet If in a car: If you come to a flooded area, turn around and go another way If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles DURING AN EVACUATION If advised to evacuate, do so immediately Listen to a radio for evacuation instructions Follow recommended evacuation routes -- shortcuts may be blocked Leave early enough to avoid being stranded by flooded roads AFTER Flood dangers do not end when the water begins to recede. Listen to a radio or television and don t return home until authorities indicate it is safe to do so. Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance -- infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities. Stay out of buildings if flood waters remain around the building. Throw away food -- including canned goods -- that has come in contact with flood waters. Pump out flooded basements gradually (about one-third of the water per day) to avoid structural damage. Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are health hazards.
Page 6 Notes from the Director The Department of Public Safety is continuing to make progress with numerous projects. The County s 9-1-1/telecommunications tower site upgrade projects at both the Bald Eagle and Shriver s Ridge sites are nearing completion with the recent delivery of new pre-cast buildings to house the communications equipment. DPS is also in the final review process of vendor proposals to select a firm to conduct a future needs assessment of the microwave system. The Department is also finalizing designs and equipment needs for an upgraded back-up 9-1-1 Center and an alternate/back-up EOC at an existing county-operated facility. This will afford the department some flexibility and redundancy during and especially after a disaster/incident. DPS staff will be working with other county offices and departments to review best practices to expand social media utilization into our operations. On a closing note, PLEASE ensure you forward copies of your certification or training certificates to the DPS Office. Many of these programs are available on-line for your convenience. THANKS! John NATURAL GAS ACTIVITY The Natural Gas Industry continues to grow in the Central Pennsylvania area. As of January 1, 2013, Lycoming County is host to 12 Operators in 25 municipalities. Below are some statistics for Natural Gas Activity within Lycoming County: Named Wells 1053 Addressed Wells 1000 Permitted Wells 925 Spudded Wells 656 Wells within 1/2 mile interface zone 542 Compressor/meter/interconnect Stations 36 Please contact Craig Konkle if you need any additional information concerning Energy Development within Lycoming County.
Page 7 UPCOMING EMA CLASSES Required for Certification The top three classes listed below are required for one or more of the certification levels for municipal Emergency Management Coordinators. Attendees must register on-line or through the County EMA office. Contact Kelle Robinson with any questions concerning these classes. DUTIES & RESPONSBILITIES/WORK ENVIRONMENT OF THE EMC The following EMCs need this course: Charles Whitford, Sr. Tyler Bierly Adam Ross Thomas Schaech Alan Little Bryan Boyer Please contact the County EMA office for more information about this class. NIMS ICS-400 Thursday & Friday, March 7 & 8, 2013 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Armed Forces Reserve Center, Williamsport DAMAGE ASSESSMENT COURSE Tuesday, April 9, 2013 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Lycoming County EMA Office SKYWARN SPOTTER TRAINING Thursday, April 4, 2013 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm, Lycoming County EMA Office Thursday, April 4, 2013 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm, Lycoming County EMA Office VOLUNTEER RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT Thursday, April 11, 2013 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm, Independent Fire Dept., South Williamsport Other Training Resources PEMA TRAINING CALENDAR: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objid=5051&&mode=2 PEMA (ON-LINE) TRAINING: https://www.centrelearn.com/login_pa.asp FEMA (EMI) (ON-LINE) TRAINING: http://training.fema.gov/is/crslist.asp
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Page 9 LYCOMING COUNTY CITIZENS CORPS COUNCIL The Lycoming County Citizen Corps Council sponsored two Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes at the Department of Public Safety. The classes were held on February 2 & 3 and again on February 16 & 17. The classes were advertised in the Williamsport Sun-gazette as well as on a billboard along I-180. CERT Classes train citizens on the several aspects emergency preparedness. Participants are given instruction on basic first aid, how to help during different types of emergencies, and how to Billboard along I-180 advertising CERT Class. prepare their families for an emergency. Each participant receives a CERT emergency kit with items to help during an emergency incident. There was an overwhelming response to both classes with 23 students taking the first class and 27 students for the second class. A waiting list was composed with over 20 additional people interested in taking the class. The classes are funded through a Grant that expired on February 28, 2013. If the grant is given an extension, additional classes will be held at the Department of Public Safety again. Classes are taught by certified instructor Tom Swigart. Mr. Swigart is a retired Williamsport Bureau of Fire Assistant Fire Chief and has been teaching CERT classes for several years. Lycoming County Citizen Corps Council thanks all who participated in the class! Watch for information about classes that may be offered in the future. Students at CERT class held at DPS on 2-17-13.
Page 10 LYCOMING COUNTY EMA QUARTERLY TRAINING AT THE ARMED FORCES RESERVE CENTER The Lycoming County EMA held Quarterly Training on December 13, 2012 at the new Armed Forces Reserve Center in Williamsport. SFC Douglass Francke gave a presentation showing the different types of equipment and vehicles the National Guard has available to help communities during emergency incidents. Following the presentation, SFC Francke gave a tour of the new facility. During the facility tour, everyone in attendance was able to see the different types of vehicles available at the Reserve Center. County EMA staff members, Kelle Robinson and Tommie Smith, took advantage of the opportunity SFC Franke gave to tour the inside of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Bradley Fighting Vehicle at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Williamsport. PEMA Central Area Director, Fred Boylstein, was in attendance at the training also. Following the facility tour, Mr. Boylstein spoke of the letters, written in cooperation with Richard Knecht, sent to Lycoming County Municipalities concerning the need for them to update their EOPs. As of the date of the training, 21 Municipalities within the County had out of date EOPs. EMA Staff Members, Kelle Robinson and Tommie Smith, inside Bradley Fighting Vehicle during facility tour. Lycoming County EMA thanks SFC Douglass Francke, Mr. Fred Boylstein, and all the EMCs for their attendance and participation in this informative quarterly training. We hope to see more EMCs in attendance at 2013 quarterly trainings!
Page 11 2013 QUARTERLY TRAINING March 21 6:30 pm Thursday Holiday Inn June 27 7:00 pm Thursday County EMA Office September 26 7:00 pm Thursday County EMA Office December 12 7:00 pm Thursday County EMA Office WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!! Just a reminder, this newsletter is written for you, the emergency responder in Lycoming County. If there is something that you wish to see in the newsletter or you have a story that you would like printed, please let us know. We are always looking for ideas for upcoming newsletters! COUNTY EMA STAFF Your County EMA staff is proud to serve you, and will always welcome your comments and suggestions to promote a better EMA community. Please contact us at any time. TELEPHONE: EMAIL: 570-433-4461 (local) 570-329-4061 (local) 800-433-9063 (out of local area) ema@lyco.org - for general department email COUNTY EMA STAFF PHONE EMAIL Richard Knecht, EMA Manager Craig Konkle, Energy Development Emergency Response Coordinator Kelle Robinson, Training & Operations Coordinator Tommie Smith Administrative Assistant 570-329-4732 rknecht@lyco.org 570-329-4724 ckonkle@lyco.org 570-329-4723 krobinson@lyco.org 570-329-4722 tsmith@lyco.org