Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | August 15, 2013 01:54 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Michael K. Hanna |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Legislation Amending the Hazardous Material Emergency Planning and Response Act |
| In the near future, I plan on introducing legislation that would amend the Hazardous Material Emergency Planning and Response Act to further expand existing provisions of the law regarding local emergency planning committees, emergency reporting requirements, and emergency notification requirements. Specifically, this legislation would require that a county emergency management coordinator and 911 coordinator be placed on a local emergency planning committee. The Act currently only provides for a county emergency management coordinator to be placed on such a committee. In addition, this legislation would require that regional Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) offices have a representative on local emergency planning committees. Furthermore, the measure would require that written notification be provided to the local emergency planning committee, the county emergency management coordinator, 911 coordinator, and the regional PEMA office within five business days after an extremely hazardous substance is present at a site or facility. I believe that every reasonable precaution should be taken where hazardous materials and substances are present. Local firefighters and first responders, who are often the first to respond to emergency situations where these materials may be present, are often placed at risk when entering into extremely dangerous situations. This legislation would provide local emergency planning committees with the additional information needed to allow firefighters and first responders to better assess emergency situations, further providing for the safety of emergency personnel and the general public. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Alycia Laureti at 717-772-2283 or alaureti@pahouse.net. |
Introduced as HB1855