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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 26, 2013 11:21 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Bryan Cutler |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Emergency Blue Lights for EMA Personnel-Former HB 2189 |
| I plan to introduce legislation in the near future that will allow for the use of a blue light by volunteer emergency management personnel. In a post 9/11 world with the requirements that states and localities develop emergency response plans that comply with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and NIMS training needs, I believe it is reasonable that these emergency personnel be afforded the same privileges given to volunteer firefighters who are responding to a fire or traffic emergency. Under my proposal, emergency management personnel, who would be designated as such by the appropriate director of emergency management at the local or county level, would be allowed use of a blue light when responding to an emergency that has been reported by a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). In today's world, emergencies are no longer viewed as just house fires and traffic accidents. If Pennsylvania suffered from an incident such as was seen in Hurricane Sandy or Hurricane Katrina, our Emergency Operations Centers would need to have all available hands on deck to handle the situation, hence their ability, as directed by the Emergency Management Coordinator, to respond in a timely fashion is crucial. The ability to utilize a blue light during these types of circumstances should be warranted. PREVIOUS CO-SPONSORS: AUMENT, BEAR, BOYD, R. BROWN, CARROLL, D. COSTA, P. COSTA, COX, ELLIS, EVERETT, GABLER, GODSHALL, GRELL, GROVE, HACKETT, HICKERNELL, M. K. KELLER, KILLION, KNOWLES, LAWRENCE, MILNE, PEIFER, PERRY, QUINN, ROCK, ROSS, STEPHENS, SWANGER, TOBASH AND VULAKOVICH |