Jun 30, 2017 | Highlighted, Press Releases
ReadyPA Monthly July 2017
On July 4th, we celebrate the birth of our nation. Along with picnics and family get together, fireworks play a large role in our holiday celebrations. The July ReadyPA Monthly provides information and tips to help you remain safe, both when using fireworks and when around fireworks.
Did you know that July is National Parks and Recreation Month? Everyone is encouraged to “Get Their Play On” and visit your local and state parks to learn the benefits of parks and recreation areas. Included is some information on the hazardous plants you may encounter during you visits to the park.
Finally, the ReadyPA Fact sheet for July features important information on remaining safe during lighting. The fact sheet is included in the newsletter.
This month’s newsletter includes: ReadyPA Monthly July 2017
- Fireworks Safety
- Fireworks Safety Tips
- Fireworks Frequently Asked Questions
- National Parks and Recreation Month
- ReadyPA Fact Sheet: Lightning
Apr 14, 2017 | Highlighted, Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2017
PEMA Provides Tips for Calling 9-1-1, Recognizes 9-1-1 Telecommunicators
Harrisburg, PA – The 9-1-1 system in Pennsylvania handles over nine million calls annually from those in need of emergency response from law enforcement, medical, and fire services. PEMA Director Richard D. Flinn Jr. stressed the importance of this vital emergency system, and those who keep it working every day
“The 9-1-1 system in Pennsylvania is usually the first point of contact in emergency situations.” said Flinn. “We rely on these trained individuals to be prepared and watchful 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The continued safety of our families, our neighbors, and visitors in Pennsylvania depends upon Public Safety Telecommunicators. These men and women contribute to saving lives every single day in Pennsylvania and are a vital part of the first responder community.”
Because of the open-face design of most mobile phones today, it is common to accidentally place a call to a friend, family member, or even 9-1-1. If you dial 9-1-1 by mistake, or if a child in your home dials 9-1-1 when no emergency exists, please do not hang up – that could make public safety telecommunicators think that an emergency exists, and possibly send responders to your location. Instead, simply explain to the call-taker what happened.
In addition, during emergencies and times of high call volume, remain on the line even if it seems as though it’s taking a long time for your call to be answered. Hanging up the phone requires telecommunicators to take extra steps to try to re-establish contact, which can delay assistance. Never call 9-1-1 as a prank or for general information needs as such to report power outages or request weather or roadway reports.
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is honoring all telecommunicators who answer 9-1-1 calls in Pennsylvania during National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week April 9 – 15.
In 2016, 2,700 telecommunicators in the 69 public safety answering points (PSAPs) in Pennsylvania answered over nine million 9-1-1 calls. National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week provides special recognition to the efforts and contributions of 9-1-1 telecommunicators to public safety.
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week was established by the United States Congress in 1991 to recognize emergency telecommunicators as the vital link between the public and emergency responders.
“This week is a time for us to show our appreciation and to recognize that our safety in emergency situations is often dependent on the commitment, courtesy, and professionalism of public safety telecommunicators,” Flinn said.
For more information on 9-1-1 programs in Pennsylvania, including a map showing where Text-to-911 Service is available, visit PEMA online at www.PEMA.pa.gov.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ruth A. Miller (PEMA), 717-651-2009; ruthmiller@pa.gov
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Apr 10, 2017 | Highlighted, Press Releases
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is celebrated every year during the second week of April; the telecommunications personnel in the public safety community, are honored. This week-long event, initially set up in 1981 by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office in California, is a time to celebrate and thank those who dedicate their lives to serving the public. It is a week that should be set aside so everyone can be made aware of their hard work, dedication, and sacrifices made in service of others.
We at Northampton County thank you for all the sacrifices you make to create a better and safer world for the public. Your commitment to your profession is appreciated by all. Thank you!
Oct 31, 2016 | Highlighted, Press Releases
Northampton County Emergency Managment switches from Cooper Notification (notifync.org) to the CodeRED Community Notification System
New high-speed notification solution for time-sensitive messages and alerts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nazareth, PA – [October 31, 2016] – Northampton County Emergency Management is proud to announce the launch of our new CodeRED community notification system to send important alerts and time-sensitive messages to staff members and residents. Along with emergency and critical messages, the CodeRED notification system can also enhance our community engagement via the release of important but non-emergency information. The CodeRED community notification system is provided by the Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Counter Terrorism Task Force to their eight county region.
“Upon evaluating our current notification system and other available options, we chose CodeRED for its innovative features, user-friendly platform, and information security,” said Todd Weaver, Acting Director. “Their company-owned redundant data centers help ensure our data is safe, and that we will be able to send messages to thousands of individuals within minutes.
Registration for this notification service is customized, allowing residents to choose which alerts they’d like to sign up for and how they would prefer to receive them. Residents can choose several different methods: landline, cell phone, email, text message, TTY, or even a combination. These alerts can be specific to streets, neighborhoods, or regions so that residents in affected areas are sure to receive this valuable information.
Additionally, residents and visitors alike can keep track of alerts in our County with the CodeRED Mobile App, which notifies smartphone holders of real-time alerts in the area. Similar to the online registration, users choose which notifications they’d like to receive via the app. Authorized county personnel will have access to the ECN Launcher – an app that allows officials to create and send messages on the go from any smartphone or tablet within seconds, without requiring a computer.
“The mobile technology for CodeRED is extremely advanced, providing us enhanced flexibility to issue general and/or emergency messages,” said Todd Weaver. “We can launch alerts from anywhere at any time, and residents potentially impacted by weather and other time sensitive events will receive them directly to their smartphones. This all happens within seconds, which can make a huge difference in saving lives.”
All residents are encouraged to visit www.ncem-pa.org and click the CodeRED icon at the bottom left of the page to sign up for CodeRED and immediately start receiving these informative, life-saving alerts.
Community Enrollment Flyer
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Sep 6, 2016 | Highlighted, Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2016
State Agencies Urge Pennsylvanians to Prepare for Emergencies during National Preparedness Month
Harrisburg, PA – State officials will be reminding citizens throughout September to prepare for emergencies as part of National Preparedness Month, a nationwide month-long effort to encourage households, businesses and communities to prepare and plan for emergencies.
This year’s NPM theme is “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.” People can learn more by following the hashtag #NatlPrep on Facebook and Twitter.
“With families being more mobile and involved in multiple activities, it’s very likely that an emergency could happen when everyone isn’t together,” said Richard D. Flinn Jr, director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. “Having a family emergency plan ensures that everyone knows who they should contact to report that they’re safe and where they will meet in case they can’t get back home.”
Flinn said that simple steps can be taken now to prepare a family, school, workplace or community for any type of incident that would disrupt the day-to-day routine. Citizens are encouraged to visit www.ReadyPA.org to find sample checklists, contact lists and other preparedness tools to take advantage of before an emergency occurs.
“Once you’ve created a plan, it’s important to practice it just as you would practice a fire drill at work or at school,” said Flinn. “Another important step is to build a basic emergency kit so you have enough food, water, medicine and other essential supplies to sustain your family including your pets without any outside assistance for at least three days.”
In particular, people should think about loved ones who may have special needs that could inhibit their ability to help themselves.
“The best defense during an emergency is knowing what to do,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy. “This is especially important for those who may need more help during emergencies, like children, older Pennsylvanians, and individuals with access and functional needs.”
Those who take medicine or use a medical treatment every day should also be sure to have enough on hand to last for at least one week, as well as keep a list of prescriptions, including the name of the medicine, dosage and any other directions.
Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller said Pennsylvanians should review their homeowners policy and understand what will be covered and steps that you need to take to file claims if their property is damaged. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) recommends that homeowners insure their property at replacement value rather than actual cash value to help cover costs should extensive repairs or a full replacement be deemed necessary. You should also keep an inventory and photos of your personal belongings so you have a detailed record if any are damaged after a storm.
If you rent your home or apartment, the property owner’s policy that covers the rental unit may not cover your personal belongings. It is important that you obtain a renters insurance policy to protect your belongings in the event of storm damage.
“Planning ahead and understanding what you’ll need to know if your property is damaged can ease the recovery process,” said Commissioner Miller. “It is important that you know what is covered by your homeowners or renters insurance and whether you should consider additional coverage like flood insurance.”
Miller said damage from flooding is not covered by a homeowners insurance policy. In addition, renters insurance does not cover property damage from weather-related floods. Flood insurance must be obtained separately and is available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and through some private insurers.
For more information on homeowners and flood insurance, visit www.insurance.pa.gov or contact the department at 1-877-881-6388.
For free preparedness resources such as a checklist, personal preparedness plans and instructional videos, visit www.ReadyPA.org. Follow @ReadyPA on Twitter and like facebook.com/BeReadyPA for additional helpful tips and information.
Media contacts: Ruth Miller, PEMA: 717-651-2009; ruthmiller@pa.gov
April Hutcheson, DOH: 717-787-1783
Ali Fogarty, Insurance: 717-787-3289
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