THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY BAKER, SOLOBAY, TOMLINSON, ALLOWAY, WAUGH, ARGALL, YUDICHAK, BOSCOLA, YAW, BREWSTER, BROWNE, BRUBAKER, COSTA, DINNIMAN, EARLL, ERICKSON, FERLO, FONTANA, GREENLEAF, D. WHITE, M. WHITE, STACK, TARTAGLIONE, HUGHES, KASUNIC, KITCHEN, McILHINNEY, MENSCH, ORIE, PILEGGI, PIPPY, RAFFERTY, ROBBINS, SCARNATI, SCHWANK AND FARNESE, SEPTEMBER 19, 2011

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, SEPTEMBER 19, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the month of September 2011 as "Emergency

Preparedness Month" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Each year, disaster emergencies strike communities

across the United States; and

WHEREAS, Recovery when a disaster strikes is a collective

action involving the survivors, the community, government,

nongovernmental agencies and private industry; and

WHEREAS, Emergencies come in many forms, from natural

disasters like Hurricanes Agnes, Katrina and Irene to man-made

disasters such as the attacks of September 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, This September 11, 2011, marks the 10th anniversary

of the terrorist attacks of 9-11, which brought death and

destruction to New York City, Washington, DC and this

Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, On September 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93

crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after a heroic attempt

by passengers to regain control of the hijacked flight; and

WHEREAS, In September 2011, the Department of Homeland

Security is sponsoring National Preparedness Month to encourage

Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in

their homes, businesses, communities, places of worship and

schools; and

WHEREAS, The purpose of National Preparedness Month is to

raise the awareness of the necessity for reducing our

vulnerability to hazards and responding to disasters; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth is committed to helping all of its

residents, communities and businesses prepare for, respond to

and recover from emergencies; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth has made it a special priority to

have emergency preparedness planning for those with special

needs, including children, older Pennsylvanians, people with

disabilities and owners of pets and livestock; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth has an ongoing ReadyPA campaign to

raise the awareness of its residents regarding emergencies and

to help Pennsylvanians prepare for an emergency; and

WHEREAS, The ReadyPA Internet website is www.readypa.org; and

WHEREAS, One goal of ReadyPA is to encourage Pennsylvanians

to "Be Informed" by learning what type of emergencies may occur

and what to do during the first 72 hours after an emergency

strikes; and

WHEREAS, A second goal of ReadyPA is to encourage

Pennsylvanians to "Be Prepared" by having an emergency plan and

an emergency supply kit for themselves, their families and their

businesses; and

WHEREAS, A third goal of ReadyPA is to encourage

Pennsylvanians to "Be Involved" by volunteering their time and

services to help others prepare for, respond to and recover from

emergencies, including volunteering through Citizen Corps and

SERVPA (www.serv.pa.gov); and

WHEREAS, Being prepared for emergencies has saved the lives

of countless people in every kind of disaster; therefore be it

RESOLVED That the Senate designate the month of September

2011 as "Emergency Preparedness Month" in Pennsylvania.