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PENNSYLVANIA CONSOLIDATED STATUTES
TITLE 35. HEALTH AND SAFETY
PART V. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
CHAPTER 73. COMMONWEALTH SERVICES
SUBCHAPTER B. PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Date:
08/31/2009
Document:
§ 7313. Powers and duties
The agency shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) To prepare, maintain and keep current a Pennsylvania Emergency
Management Plan for the prevention and minimization of injury and
damage caused by disaster, prompt and effective response to disaster
and disaster emergency relief and recovery. The plan may include
provisions for:
(i) Preparedness standards established by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency.
(ii) Commonwealth and local disaster emergency management
responsibilities.
(iii) Assistance to Commonwealth agencies, local government
officials, schools and custodial child care facilities in designing
emergency management plans and training programs.
(iv) Organization of manpower, chains of command, continuity of
government in emergency situations and emergency operational
principles.
(v) Coordination of Federal, Commonwealth and local disaster
emergency management activities.
(vi) Coordination of the Commonwealth Emergency Management Plan with
the disaster plans of the Federal Government and those of other
states.
(vii) Assistance to the Commonwealth and local governments in
obtaining, utilizing and managing Federal and Commonwealth disaster
assistance.
(viii) Supply to appropriate Commonwealth and local officials State
catalogs of Federal, Commonwealth and private assistance programs.
(ix) Identification of areas particularly vulnerable to disasters.
(x) Recommendations for zoning, building and other land-use controls;
safety measures pertaining to nonpermanent or semipermanent
structures; resource conservation and allocation; and other
preventive and preparedness measures designed to eliminate or reduce
disasters or their impact.
(xi) Authorization and procedures for the erection or other
construction of temporary works designed to protect against or
mitigate danger, damage or loss from flood, conflagration or other
disaster.
(2) To establish, equip and staff a Commonwealth and area emergency
operations center with a consolidated Statewide system of warning and
provide a system of disaster communications integrated with those of
Federal, Commonwealth and local agencies involved in disaster emergency
operations.
(3) To promulgate, adopt and enforce such rules, regulations and orders
as may be deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of this part.
(4) To provide technical advice and assistance to Commonwealth
agencies, political subdivisions, schools and custodial child care
facilities in the preparation of disaster emergency management plans or
components thereof and to periodically review such plans and suggest or
require revisions.
(5) To establish and operate or assist political subdivisions in
establishing and operating training programs and programs of public
information.
(6) To supply appropriate Commonwealth and local agencies and officials
and the general public with precautionary notices, watches and warnings
relating to actual and potential disasters and to provide a flow of
official information and instructions to the general public through all
means available before, during and after an emergency. The agency
shall implement a program of integrated flood warning systems among
political subdivisions. The agency shall establish coordinated flood
notification and early warning systems along prescribed major river
basins and selected tributaries thereof in this Commonwealth.
(7) To provide emergency direction and control of Commonwealth and
local emergency operations.
(8) To determine the need for, maintain information regarding and
procure materials, supplies, equipment, facilities and services
necessary for disaster emergency readiness, response and recovery.
(9) To make or request of Commonwealth or local agencies and officials,
studies, surveys and reports as are necessary to carry out the purposes
of this part.
(10) To plan and make arrangements for the availability and use of any
private facilities, services and property and, if necessary and if in
fact used, provide for payment for use under terms and conditions
agreed upon.
(11) To prepare, for issuance by the Governor, executive orders,
proclamations and regulations as necessary or appropriate in coping
with disasters.
(12) To cooperate with the Federal Government and any public or private
agency or entity in achieving any purpose of this part and in
implementing programs for disaster prevention, preparation, response
and recovery.
(13) To administer grant programs to political subdivisions for
disaster management.
(14) To accept and coordinate assistance provided by Federal agencies
in major disasters or emergencies in accordance with the provisions of
The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
(Public Law 93-288, 42 U.S.C. § 5121 et seq.), or any amendment or
reenactment thereof.
(15) To respond to disaster relating to atomic energy operations or
radioactive objects or materials. Any such action taken and any
regulations adopted by the office shall be inapplicable to any objects
or materials possessing a radiation-producing capacity less than that
set forth as the maximum safety limit by the standards endorsed and as
may be subsequently endorsed by the United States Nuclear Regulatory
Commission for the protection of life and property and the maintenance
of health and safety.
(16) To take other action necessary, incidental or appropriate for the
implementation of this part.
(17) To report annually to the General Assembly the state of
preparedness of the Commonwealth to deal with attack or disaster and
those significant events occurring within the past year.
(18) To recommend to the Governor legislation or other actions as
deemed necessary in connection with the purposes of this part.
(19) To provide, from its own stockpiles or other sources, emergency
operational equipment, materials and supplies required and available
for essential supplementation of those owned, acquired and used by
Commonwealth, county and local departments and agencies for attack and
disaster operations. The agency shall establish two regional emergency
supply warehouses. One shall be located in the western part of this
Commonwealth, and one shall be located in the eastern part of this
Commonwealth.
(20) For the period during which an emergency is declared by the
Governor, to incur obligations for or purchase such materials and
supplies as may be necessary to combat a disaster, protect the health
and safety of persons and property and provide emergency assistance to
victims of a disaster without complying with formal bidding or other
time-consuming contract procedures.
(21) To require hydroelectric generating facilities and dam operators
to do all of the following:
(i) Provide minimum competency testing for their operators.
(ii) Submit plans for flood notification and warning.
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