2006 News

September 18 , 2006

Bucks County Joins Unprecedented Tri-State Effort to RegionalizeEmergency Preparedness and Response

Appreciating that neither terrorist attacks nor natural disasters recognize municipal boundaries, Bucks County today joins with 11 counties across three states to prepare citizens in this region for times of crisis. Following extensive planning by the Philadelphia Emergency Preparedness Review Committee (EPRC) and its public information and community engagement subcommittee, a public education campaign is now fully underway. Its purpose – to help provide resources and information to citizens about taking responsibility for themselves and their family before and during an emergency, especially within the first 72 hours of an event.

"This unprecedented tri-state regional cooperation, for the purpose of emergency preparedness of our citizens, is something Bucks County is both very proud to take part in, and takes very seriously. We join our partners from the 10 other counties in a commitment to ensuring citizens have enough information and resources to take an active role in their family's readiness in times of crisis," noted Jim Cawley, chairman of the Bucks County commissioners. Cawley will be joined at the press conference by Bucks County’s Chief Operating Officer/Managing Director David M. Sanko and Emergency Management Agency Director John Dougherty.

Bucks County is no stranger to collaborative emergency preparedness. Dougherty serves as chairman of the Pennsylvania Southeastern Region Counterterrorism Task Force (SERCTTF), a five-county task force formed in 1998 to create a comprehensive regional response program, whose member counties are Bucks, Philadelphia, Montgomery, Chester and Delaware. The 11-county working group is the brainchild of SERCTTF.

“In order for first responders to effectively do their jobs in times of crisis, it is imperative that individuals also do their part,” noted Dougherty. “When citizens are asked to evacuate, it is because someone has determined they are in harm’s way. If families plan in advance, have their family communication plan in place, and their go bag assembled, it makes the process much simpler and less stressful. When these steps aren’t taken, it may prevent families from evacuating, and necessitates our emergency responders to go into harm’s way. Everything has a ripple effect.”

“In order for first responders to effectively do their jobs in times of crisis, it is imperative that individuals also do their part,” noted Dougherty. “When citizens are asked to evacuate, it is because someone has determined they are in harm’s way. If families plan in advance, have their family communication plan in place, and their go bag assembled, it makes the process much simpler and less stressful. When these steps aren’t taken, it may prevent families from evacuating, and necessitates our emergency responders to go into harm’s way. Everything has a ripple effect.”

Modeled after other successful campaigns such as Ready New York and Ready.gov, the “Ready Region” campaign educates the public on useful tips to “make a plan, get a kit, and stay informed.”

Make a plan

Measures such as designating an out-of-area contact person for family members to call in case local lines are out, duplicating important documents to keep in a safe deposit box, inventorying valuables in the home, making a family communications plan including a designated meeting place, and planning for special needs of children, seniors, those who are disabled, and pets, all come under the advice to make a plan. Much more information can be found at buckscounty.org and readyregion.org.

Get a kit

This refers to assembling recommended items either for a “go bag,” in case an evacuation order is given, or ingredients to keep in the home if sheltering in place is the better option. Items can include everything from batteries for a radio and flashlight, and medications and glasses, to pet food for the dog and toys for the kids. The public is asked to consider what they would need to self-sustain for three days, when making their kits.

Be informed

As none of the advice provided to families can be applied exactly, for the wide range of emergencies that exist, learning about each possible event can help citizens make the best decisions based on each unique circumstance. Floods, extreme cold or hot weather, thunderstorms, and hurricanes, are some of the events that produce natural disasters in our area. Fires and explosions, influenza pandemics or biological, chemical and nuclear threats are also considerations for our region. Visit the readyregion.org or buckscounty.org websites to learn more about these threats, and how to prepare for them.

The Star Group, a marketing, advertising and public relations company, has volunteered their time and resources to spearhead the planning and execution of the campaign. Main components to the initiative are a readyregion.org website, which offers links to all participating counties’ websites providing a wealth of information, and an advertising campaign, featuring public service announcements, all in an effort to raise awareness to be ready. Sensitive to those without internet access, the comprehensive plan will also include brochures that will be made available.

The partnership between participating 11 counties will evolve into things like joint planning and multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional exercises, according to Dougherty. Between 2001 and 2005, more than $93 million in homeland security grants has been secured by SERCTTF in an effort to keep the region safe.

So, Bucks County, are you Ready? Or not?