THE KEMA CURRENT Fall 2013
Inside this Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 7
Message from the President
I am writing as the newly elected President of the Keystone KEMA Eastern Area Update . . . . . . .2 Emergency Management Association (KEMA). It is an honor and a
KEMA Western Area Update . . . . . . .3 Back to School in Danville. . 5 Member News . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 KEMA Award Recipients . .6
privilege to have been elected by my peers, and I will do my best to continue the great work of my predecessors. I would like to thank all those involved in making the recent Annual Meeting, dinner and Symposium successful. In addition, I would like to recognize my colleagues for graciously stepping in that day on my behalf to speak in my absence. There are many dedicated individuals joining me on KEMA’s Executive Board, and you can see everyone on page 7. Thank you to all of the Board members for agreeing to serve. We have momentum coming out of the Annual Meeting. We need to Robert Mateff keep that momentum going while also being mindful that we are doing more with less and have other commitments that require our time. The KEMA Board of Directors has discussed some great initiatives for 2014, including: growing our membership, providing scholarships and additional awards, expanding our committee base and reaching out to our colleges and universities to build a stronger bond with our future emergency managers. Since its inception in 1977, KEMA has provided a statewide forum for emergency management professionals to learn from one another and share best practices. As we begin another year and continue our work preparing our communities, it is important to remember that the overall success of KEMA depends on the strength of our membership. For those of you who know me, you know that I believe one of KEMA’s biggest strengths is that of its membership. It is the commitment and dedication of long-time volunteers that have made KEMA the organization it is today. I would like to thank all of you who have dedicated your time and expertise to further the Keystone Emergency Management Association. Thank you for placing your trust in me to move our Association forward, and I look forward to working with you in the years ahead. Regards,
Material in this e-newsletter may be republished with permission of KEMA and with proper line credit. Mention of commercial products in this publication is solely for information purposes and endorsement is not intended by KEMA. Material does not directly reflect the opinions or beliefs of the Board or staff.
Robert Mateff KEMA President
Keystone Emergency Management Association e-newsletter
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Fall 2013
KEMA Eastern Area Update Angel L. Gillette, CEM KEMA Eastern Area President Comings & Goings: Please join me in wishing good luck to our new KEMA President, Bob Mateff, and in welcoming KEMA’s newest board members: Todd Lake, Margaret Clark and Jim Slaugh. We bid farewell to a friend and colleague. Northampton County Operations & Training Officer Curt Fauerbach will be retiring at the end of the year. Curt has been in the EM profession for more than 30 years. Good luck, Curt—you will be missed! KEMA News & Updates: PA Silver Jackets developed a NEW Factsheet titled Useful Websites for Emergency Managers. In addition, I would like to say congratulations to the PA Silver Jackets Team for recently being recognized with a national award for the work they have done! The PA Silver Jackets is an innovative program that brings together local, state, regional and federal agencies to address the state’s flood risk management priorities. The PA Silver Jackets developed the flood risk management resources website, provided non-structural flood proofing workshops, developed flood inundation mapping for Harrisburg and surrounding areas, compiled the FRM interagency program guide and provided information and resources following Tropical Storms Lee and Irene. Click here for more information on the Silver Jackets program in Pennsylvania. Again, Congrats PA SJ! Other News: The Pennsylvania VOAD website is now operational: pavoad.communityos.org. All organizations are encouraged to check out the site and are invited to join the PA VOAD. Government organizations are not subject to membership dues; however, they are asked to submit an application. Interested members should download the application and return the completed form to Steve Labov, Eastern Region Chair, PA VOAD, 1800 Ashbourne Road - # 11292, Elkins Park, PA 19027. Special thanks to Steve for forwarding this information to be included for the KEMA membership. AEL Update: The Authorized Equipment List (AEL), published by the FEMA Grants Program Directorate, will be moved to the FEMA Lessons Learned Information Sharing (LLIS) Website sometime in November. The move is part of FEMA’s efforts to unify key information sources across the emergency management and homeland security communities. Keystone Emergency Management Association e-newsletter
The PA Silver Jackets Team accepts the 2013 State Team of the Year Award. Front Row (left to right): Fran McJunkin, Lycoming County Planning; Stacey Underwood, PA Silver Jackets USACE Team Coordinator, USACE Baltimore District; Tom Hughes, PEMA, SHMO; Marissa Lewis, PA SJ Planning & Coordination Support, USACE Baltimore District; Jeff Allen, PA DCED, Recovery Resources Team Lead. Second Row (left to right): Mark Rowland, USGS; Ben Pratt, Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) & President, Pennsylvania Association of Floodplain Managers (PAFPM); Nancy Piotrowski, USACE Pittsburgh District Office; Dan Fitzpatrick, DCED NFIP Coordinator; Andrew Gaul, PADEP EP Program Integration Lead; Jerry Pollack, Clearfield County EMA.
PA Silver Jackets’ National Award
2014 Membership Renewal is Now Due! KEMA’s Board of Directors voted in June to change the membership dues year to January 1 - December 31. You should have received your first renewal invoice in early November and your second notice in early December. If you have questions regarding this process, please email Angela at membership@kema-pa.org.
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KEMA Western Area Update Todd J. Lake KEMA Western Area President I want to introduce myself to those who may not know me. I live in the Borough of Youngsville, am married to Karen and have two sons – Branden (16) and Justin (13). I am the Public Safety Director in Warren County. The position was developed in 2008 when the 911 Center, Emergency Management Agency and the EMS Training Office combined. At that time, the Commissioners promoted me from 911 Coordinator to the first Warren County Public Safety Director.
Western Area Quarterly Trainings February 11-12, 2014 – Location TBD May 21-22, 2014 – Location TBD August 20-21, 2014 – Location TBD
Reminder: FEMA's Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP), located in Anniston, Ala., is the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS)'s only federally chartered Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) training center. The Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) recently opened a new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) or hospital command center used by emergency responders during training. The EOC provides a modern learning environment with technology commonly found in EOCs nationwide. The CDP identifies, develops, tests My past experiences include being a 25 year member of the and delivers training to state, local and tribal emergency Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department. In the Fire response providers. They provide on-site and mobile training Department, I have been an EMT for 20+ years, Past President at the performance, management and planning levels. They and Past First Captain. My work experience includes 911 facilitate the delivery of training by the training partners of the Telecommunicator, automotive mechanic, heavy truck U.S. Department of Homeland Security. All training is federally mechanic, PA inspection mechanic and Class A CDL driver funded and is offered at NO cost to the participant. Listed is including school bus. Some of my other experiences include the EM discipline courses offered at the Anniston facility. Also, involvement with the Borough Council, Mercyhurst University- they are offered by specific tracks (i.e. Radiological, Command North East Curriculum Advisory Board and Warren County and etc.). Crime Stoppers Board. I have served as a Local EMC, Warren County Fire School Director, Boy Scout committee member and Click here for more information. member of the Youngsville Evangelical United Methodist Church for 40 years. Emergency Management Agency Courses: w Technical Emergency Response Training for CBRNE Thank you to Roy Shipley for offering me this opportunity to Incidents (TERT) serve you as the Western Area President. w Instructor Training Certification (ITC) w Field Force Command and Planning (FFC) Updates: w Field Force Extrication Tactics (FFE) First of all, I want to congratulate Venango County EMA w Standardized Awareness Authorized Training Program, Director Tom Sherman for receiving the KEMA Harry Train-the-Trainer (SAAT) Robidoux Award at the recent KEMA meeting. Congrats Tom, w Environmental Health Training in Emergency Response and good job! (EHTER) w Radiological Series, Train-the-Trainer (RAD T&T) Also from Venango County, we bid our final farewell to Past w Hazardous Materials Technician for CBRNE Incidents EMA Director Richard J. “Dick” Graff who passed away Oct. 4. (HT) Dick was Director since 1991, and was a pleasure to learn from w Incident Command: Capabilities, Planning and Response and work with him. Farewell, Dick. Actions for All Hazards (IC) w Pandemic Planning and Preparedness (P3) PEMA Western Area: w Framework for Healthcare Emergency Management The folks at the Western Area Office were busy with applicant (FRAME) briefings and kick-off meetings for public assistance in the five w Advanced Public Information Officer: Health and Hospital declared counties in the western area (Lawrence, Venango, Emergencies (APIOHHE) Crawford, Jefferson and Fayette Counties). w Radiological Emergency Response Operations (RERO) w Advanced Radiological Incident Operations (ARIO)
Keystone Emergency Management Association e-newsletter
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Fall 2013
Western Pennsylvania American Red Cross Contact List Name
Title
Phone
Victor Roosen
Regional Disaster Program Officer
412-670-6064
Victor.Roosen@redcross.org
Sandi Wraith
Regional Direct Services Support Manager
412-302-4809
Sandi.Wraith@redcross.org
Cathy Balko
Disaster Program, Manager
724-825-2695
Cathy.Balko@redcross.org
Jason Bange
Disaster Program, Manager
814-366-3750
Jason.Bange@redcross.org
Mark Holzer
Disaster Program, Manager
724-350-1827
Mark.Holzer@redcross.org
Georgia Lehman
Disaster Program, Manager
814-242-2083
Georgia.Lehman@redcross.org
County
Contact
County
Contact
County
Contact
Allegheny Armstrong Beaver Butler Cambria Cameron Clarion Clearfield Crawford
Mark Holzer Georgia Lehman Cathy Balko Cathy Balko Georgia Lehman Jason Bange Cathy Balko Jason Bange Cathy Balko
Elk Erie Fayette Forest Greene Indiana Jefferson Lawrence
Jason Bange Cathy Balko Mark Holzer Cathy Balko Mark Holzer Georgia Lehman Jason Bange Cathy Balko
McKean Mercer Potter Somerset Venango Warren Washington Westmoreland
Jason Bange Cathy Balko Jason Bange Georgia Lehman Cathy Balko Cathy Balko Mark Holzer Georgia Lehman
Keystone Emergency Management Association e-newsletter
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Fall 2013
Back to School in Danville Cory Angell PEMA Press Secretary In 2011, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee struck the northeastern United States. Pennsylvania experienced historic levels of flooding, not seen since Hurricane Agnes in 1972. Many towns were left devastated in the wake of the one-two punch dealt by the storms. The small town of Danville was one of them, and it suffered the loss of their middle school. Ed Coleman, mayor of Danville for 16 years, said the loss of the school was a challenge to the community with many kids learning at different locations in cramped conditions for the two years since the storm. “I have lived here a long time, and we have fought flooding for years,” said Coleman. “This storm ravaged the community and damaged the school along with many businesses.” The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), began working with local officials to assist in recovery from the storm. Danville Middle School was a major project. “Some projects can take four to five years to recover from the impacts of a storm,” said Chris Evans, chief of the disaster recovery division at PEMA. “This project has been rewarding, and we enjoy being a part of bringing a community together to work toward a common goal.” That goal was restoring the middle school and the students got to return to school this year and held a celebration of the achievement Sept. 26, 2013.
Fisher Joins Cocciardi and Associates, Inc. Cocciardi and Associates, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Evalyn L. Fisher to its professional staff. She joined the business as the Emergency Preparedness Division Chief. Ms. Fisher comes to Cocciardi and Associates after serving as executive director of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Task Force (SEPA RTF), one of nine task forces in the Commonwealth serving the citizens through homeland security preparedness and prevention grants. Prior to her post at SEPA RTF, Ms. Fisher was the State Emergency Planning Director for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (2002-2009) and for the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (1995-2002). She also served as Maryland’s Hazard Mitigation Officer. Holding a bachelor’s degree in English/Journalism and a master’s degree in Public Administration, Ms. Fisher joined the team on Oct. 4. “We are thrilled to have such an emergency preparedness veteran join our ranks,” said Joseph A. Cocciardi, the firm’s principal. “We believe the addition of Evalyn to the Cocciardi team further strengthens our mission of providing the highest quality services to our clients.” Ms. Fisher can be reached at the company’s Mechanicsburg office at efisher@cocciardi.com or 717-766-4500.
Find KEMA Online! Did you know that KEMA has both a Facebook page and a LinkedIn group? Connect online today!
“PEMA and FEMA would like to commend the school board, administration, faculty, staff and the borough for their combined effort in facilitating the repairs and improvements to the middle school,” said Evans. “Without this level of dedication to their students it would have been very difficult to have completed this project as quickly as they did.” With the remodeling complete, the teachers, students and local officials came together to celebrate the rebirth of the community’s school with many functions being planned and many thanks to those who helped make it happen. “We had tours being given by our honor society, a lighting ceremony, a dodgeball tournament, a DJ, refreshments and a formal rededication of the building,” said Cheryl La Torre, Superintendent. “We have the formal language of the original dedication of the building in 1958 and we read it word for word to recognize the original architect and builders.” Keystone Emergency Management Association e-newsletter
Danville Middle School Dedication Ceremony included, from left to right, Ed Sanders, Assistant Middle School Principal, Rick Weiberg, PEMA, Dan Smyser, FEMA, Chris Evans, PEMA, Janis Venna, Danville Area School District Business Manager, and Charles Smargiassi, Principal Danville Middle School. Photo courtesy of Danville Middle School.
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Fall 2013
Venango County EM Director Receives Harry Robidoux Award Venango County’s Emergency Services Director, Tom Sherman, was awarded the 2013 Harry Robidoux Award for Excellence in Emergency Management on Oct. 5 during the KEMA Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony held in Harrisburg, Pa. The prestigious honor of the Harry Robidoux Award for Excellence in Emergency Management is awarded annually to a county emergency management coordinator who has been recognized for exemplary performance in carrying out the fundamental principles of the Emergency Management profession.
astonishing what they have been able to accomplish with limited staffing.” Congratulations on your significant achievement, Tom! Pictured with Tom Sherman (center) are PEMA Chief Deputy Director, Bob Full (left), and KEMA Immediate Past President Wes Hill (right).
An official award nomination submitted by one of Mr. Sherman's peers described him as “a role model for the profession who not only exhibits excellence in emergency management at the county level but at the regional level as well.” The nomination also noted how he was able to enhance the planning, training, exercise, equipment and personnel activities within his county to such a high degree, “it is
KEMA Presents 2013 Paul R. Beatty Partnership Award The Paul R. Beatty Partnership Award is presented each year to a person or organization that exhibits cooperation and collaboration in fostering emergency management principles. This year’s award recipient was the Franklin County Department of Emergency Services (DES). Franklin County DES was recognized for exemplary performance in the spirit of partnership, collaboration and cooperation. Frank Donahue, Director of the Department, accepted the award on the organization’s behalf during a ceremony held on Oct. 5 at the Keystone Emergency Management Association’s Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony in Harrisburg, Pa. Donahue noted that he was honored to accept the award, and that it wouldn’t have been possible “without the contribution and dedication of the Franklin County DES staff.” Congratulations to the Franklin County DES for your significant contribution to the profession! Frank Donahue (center), Director of the Franklin County Department of Emergency Services (DES), accepts the Paul R. Beatty Partnership Award from PEMA Chief Deputy Director, Bob Full (left), and KEMA Immediate Past President Wes Hill (right). Keystone Emergency Management Association e-newsletter
KEMA’s 2013 Municipal Coordinator Award for Excellence in Emergency Management Monaca Borough’s Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff McKay and Southampton Township’s Emergency Management Coordinator Doug Shields were both recognized with the 2013 Municipal Coordinator Award for Excellence. This award recognize municipal coordinators who foster the principles of the Emergency Management profession. Both Jeff and Doug were nominated by their peers for having exhibited exemplary performance in the Emergency Management profession. Both EMC’s were publicly recognized for those efforts during an awards ceremony at the KEMA Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony in Harrisburg, Pa.
PEMA Deputy Director Bob Full, Southampton EMA Coordinator Doug Shields, Monaca EMA Coordinator Jeff McKay and KEMA Immediate Past President Wesley Hill page 6
Fall 2013
Angel Gillette Named 2013 Spirit of KEMA Award Recipient Northampton County’s Hazard Mitigation/Disaster Recovery Manager, Angel Gillette, was awarded the 2013 Spirit of KEMA Award on Oct. 5 during the KEMA Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony in Harrisburg, Pa. PEMA Chief Deputy Director Robert Full and KEMA Immediate Past President Wes Hill presented Ms. Gillette with the award noting her significant contributions to the Association and the emergency management profession. “We are very proud of Angel’s accomplishments,” said KEMA President and Northampton County Emergency Management Services Director, Robert Mateff. “Northampton County has continuously prioritized public safety, and we are honored that one of our own has been recognized for making such significant contributions to the profession, not only locally, but across the entire Commonwealth.”
Angel Gillette (left) is pictured with IAEM Region 3 President John Conklin (right).
Welcome KEMA’s New Members KEMA is proud to announce the addition of two new members. Please help in welcoming the following new members to KEMA: Margaret Clark, regular member Barry Schuchart, organizational member
KEMA Staff Emails: Lisa Frye, Executive Director, info@kema-pa.org Angela Burkett, Membership Director, membership@kema-pa.org Alison Evans, Communications Director, communications@kema-pa.org Courtney Kuntz, Digital Communications Coordinator, digicom@kema-pa.org
The Spirit of KEMA Award recognizes emergency management professionals who have worked to advance KEMA’s mission and forge partnerships that seek to advance the emergency management profession. KEMA’s mission is to promote, support and advocate comprehensive emergency management at all levels of Pennsylvania’s public and private sectors. Examples of successful statewide partnerships established with KEMA through Angel’s involvement include the PA Silver Jackets, a state-wide flood mitigation task force and the Pennsylvania VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). Gillette began her work with Northampton County’s Emergency Management Services Division in March 2008. Congratulations, Angel!
2013 – 2014 KEMA Officers President Robert F. Mateff, Sr., ENP Northampton County
Eastern Area President Angel L. Gillette, CEM Northampton County
Vice President Roy A. Shipley Fayette County
Central Area President Gerald “Jerry” McAteer, CEM, CHS Annville Township
Secretary Margaret Clark RT (R) (M) Beaver County
Western Area President Todd J. Lake Warren County
Treasurer S.A. Tony Przychodzien, Jr. Chester County
Eastern Area Director Guy M. Miller Monroe County
Immediate Past President Wesley W. Hill Beaver County
Central Area Director James D. Slaugh, Sr. York County
Ex-Officio John Conklin, CEM Incoming President for IAEM Region 3
Western Area Director Gregory L. Zimmerman, As, EMT-B Indiana County
PEMA Liaison Officer Robert A. Full
Steeped in Tradition with a Vision for the Future
Keystone Emergency Management Association e-newsletter
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Fall 2013