HARRISBURG — Local Emergency Coordinators would receive emergency responder status, enabling them to do their job more efficiently and safely, under a bill (Senate Bill 1121) introduced today by Senator Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne).
Baker, who heads the Senate Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committee, said that under current state law requires all 2,566 of Pennsylvania’s municipalities have Local Emergency Coordinators who are confirmed by gubernatorial appointment.
“Local Emergency Coordinators play a key role in assisting municipal officials and county emergency management coordinators in responding to natural and manmade disasters,” Baker said. “However, because they are not currently designated as emergency responders, they cannot use auditory or visual vehicle warning signals. This is a safety hazard for the coordinators as well as to other drivers whom they encounter enroute to the emergency or disaster location.”
Baker said providing Local Emergency Coordinators with emergency responder status will enable them to respond more effectively to emergencies and improve public safety.
Baker’s district includes all of Pike, Wayne, and Wyoming counties and parts of Luzerne, Monroe and Susquehanna counties.
Contact: Carol Maravic, (717) 787-6725