Emergency Management Agency

PA Title 35 requires that all Emergency Management Coordinators receive training to become a recognized Emergency Manager. This training is provided in various formats for three separate levels of Emergency Manager recognition. Each level requires a specific number of years of experience as well as specific courses. There are challenges in achieving 100% compliance given the degree of turnover in these positions and the availability of some courses. This year has been especially problematic given the added complexity of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as a mean to counter the pandemic and continue to provide for quality emergency management training, PEMA has accelerated the development of virtual training options for courses that were historically only offered in traditional classroom settings. Furthermore, PEMA is revising the certification program to make it a more achievable and buildable program for career development/progression.

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a system that was put in place nationwide in 2005 and allows for all personnel who respond to or support incidents to be trained to a national standard. There are minimum requirements for all PEMA staff, consisting of the completion of at least five courses: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800, IS-775 or IS-2200, and G-191. PEMA staff  are considered NIMS certified when they have attained this minimum training.,  The percent of PEMA NIMS certified staff is calculated by taking the total number of current PEMA staff and dividing it by the number of PEMA staff who have completed the minimum training standards.

The Private Sector Integration Program fosters important relationships to increase information sharing between the private and public sectors before, during, and after disasters and engages businesses through: Private-sector driven planning and discussion sessions with the Pennsylvania Business Emergency Operations Center (PABEOC), located online and at the Commonwealth Response Coordination Center at PEMA. Although distribution of PABEOC information can reach more than 10,000 businesses, participating businesses include those who specifically requested to participate and agree to work within a trusted partner framework.

Counties are encouraged to maintain 'living' Hazard Mitigation (HM) plans on their websites and conduct annual reviews. Counties are encouraged, with PEMA's assistance, to apply for a Hazard Mitigation Plan update grant 3 years prior to their current plan expiration date. This allows 12+ months for the application and award process and 24 months of plan update.

The Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program provides low interest loans to volunteer fire and emergency services organizations for the purpose of establishing or modernizing facilities; purchasing new or rehabilitating old apparatus; and purchasing protective, communications and accessory equipment. Since its inception, the program has approved more than $523 million in loans. The total dollar figure for loans is reported on a yearly (fiscal year) basis and includes all loans approved during that time period. In the coming years, it is expected that the dollar amount of loans will continue to increase due to holding more monthly committee meetings and with the recent approval for career fire and ems departments to apply for loans.

The Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service (FCEMS) Grant Program administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner provides $26.4 million annually in grants to approximately 2,000 volunteer and career fire and rescue companies in the Commonwealth. Eligible projects for this non-competitive grant include construction and renovation of facilities, purchase of equipment, debt reduction, and training and education. The total number of fire companies awarded a grant is measured annually. The number of grants awarded is consistent from year to year and the expectation is that these numbers will stay consistent in the upcoming years.

The PA Voluntary Certification Program administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner tests responders to NFPA Standards as accredited by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (NBFSPQ) and the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC). The State Fire Academy issues approximately 3,000 certifications annually. The expectation is that this number will remain consistent year-to-year.

The Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC) maintains a record of the number of civilians who perish in fires annually in the Commonwealth. This figure is compiled using various open source and licensed means including incident reports submitted through the Pennsylvania Fire Incident Reporting System (PennFirs), and news reports and articles. Fire deaths are also broken down into various categories, including age, cause of fire and location of fire. Pennsylvania consistently ranks in the top five in the Nation for civilian fire casualties and OSFC is working diligently to decrease these numbers, and to promote fire safety through various events and partnerships with fire departments.

Firefighter training is provided by the State Fire Academy through the Resident Program at its campus in Lewistown, PA, and the Academy on the Road Program at local fire stations. Courses in the academy training curriculum are specially selected courses that provide intermediate, advanced, and/or specialized training in suppression, rescue, command, and other emergency services skills.