PA Gov Signs Executive Order That Revamps State's Disaster Preparation Efforts

HARRISBURG, PA — With changes potentially looming in how the federal government provides states with disaster aid, Pennsylvania is making significant administrative changes intended to keep the state at the forefront of emergency management.

Gov. Josh Shapiro on Tuesday signed an executive order designed to strengthen the state's emergency readiness and updating state plans and policies to better provide agencies, communities and others with the information, training and support needed when disasters occur.

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"When disaster strikes, Pennsylvanians look to their state and local local leaders to deliver the support – and resources – they need to stay safe, recover, and rebuild,"Shapiro said in a statement.

"While the federal government is erecting barriers and changing the federal government's role in responding to emergencies, this executive order will ensure Pennsylvania remains prepared for any emergency."

As the federal government prepares to shift more responsibility for disaster response and recovery to states, the order tasks state agencies to continue working in a collaborative manner to update training standards and requirements; identify staff, equipment, and capabilities that can be rapidly deployed when emergencies overwhelm normal operations; and provide local government, lawmakers and residents with the training and information they need to be safe before, during, and after an incident.

Specifically, the order:

• Directs the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to work with state agencies to develop a Commonwealth Surge Workforce that can mobilize appropriate resources quickly across multiple agencies in response to future disasters and emergencies.

• Orders PEMA to prepare an Emergency Readiness Action Plan as the federal government reduces support for states.

• Directs the Office of Administration, Department of General Services and other agencies to streamline emergency management policies.

• Establishes the Emergency Readiness Advisory Group, comprised of leaders from key state agencies and led by PEMA director Randy Padfield to review all recommendations contained in the recently released FEMA Review Council report.

"Emergency management continues to evolve every year and plays an ever-expanding critical role in public safety," Padfield said.

"This executive order will ensure Pennsylvania remains a leader in the field to ensure all Pennsylvanians and communities have the support needed before, during and after disasters in light of the ongoing changes to disaster response and recovery at the federal level."

Friction between the federal government and states over disaster relief already is occurring. Last month, Shapiro joined a multi-state lawsuit against the Trump administration for requiring the 23 states to comply with election and immigration conditions to receive billions in federal disaster funding.