SCRANTON, August 24, 2016 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today joined numerous members of the Senate and House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees at a joint committee hearing at the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center in Scranton.

The hearing was convened to discuss the reauthorization of Title 35 – which contains the Emergency Management Services code which governs how the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) functions and provides the framework for how the Commonwealth and local governments prepare for and respond to disasters.

“Today’s discussion was very important to our panel of state legislators as we prepare to make critical revisions and updates to Title 35 to ensure that best practices are being utilized and required in our emergency response efforts across the Commonwealth,” Blake said. “Thank you to the committee chairman of both Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees – Sen. Randy Vulakovich; Democratic Leader, Sen. Jay Costa; and Rep. Chris Sainato – for coming to Scranton and convening this hearing in my 22nd District.”

The hearing included testimony from Richard Flinn, Jr., director of PEMA and a panel discussion with Robert Kagel, Executive Board Member of the South East PA Regional Task Force; Stephen Libhart, Chair of the South Central Regional Task Force; and Robert Werts, Program Manager of the Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Counter Terrorism Task Force.

“The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Code has not been received a comprehensive review and update nearly twenty years.” Sen. Jay Costa added. “As our first responders know all too well, threats, both natural and otherwise have intensified requiring a more sophisticated and comprehensive response. The House and Senate committees’ review of this, along with guidance from PEMA and regional, county and municipal emergency response coordinators will help us prepare a more current set of standards and tools for emergency responders.”

Blake noted that there are nine regional task forces across Pennsylvania which operate under Act 227 of 2002 – the Counter Terrorism Planning and Response Act – that was enacted following the terrorist attacks in 2001. The reauthorization and update of Title 35 would also refine the language pertaining to the nine regional task forces.

“While it is unlikely that the updates to Title 35 will be completed in the limited time remaining in this session, it is our hope that measures to legislate much needed updates to our public safety and emergency response laws will occur early next year,” Blake added. “Thank you again to the Gino Merli Veterans Center and Commandant Vito Ruggiero for hosting this important joint hearing and discussion.”

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