For Immediate Release
October 30, 2007
Back

- Sen. Madigan
- Sen. Baker

Senate Committees Hold Hearing to Follow Up on Witt Report, Ensure Improved State Emergency Preparedness

HARRISBURG – The chairs of the Senate Transportation Committee and the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee held a joint public hearing today to receive a status report on the Rendell administration's implementation of recommendations to improve upon serious shortfalls in emergency response and transportation management made evident in the Valentines Day snowstorm earlier this year.

The recommendations were the result of a report issued by James Lee Witt Associates of Washington D.C. that evaluated the performance of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, State Police, Department of Transportation, and the National Guard during the February storm.  The event stranded hundreds of motorists on I-78, I-81, and I-80 for up to 20 hours in sub-freezing temperatures.

The Witt Report offered stinging criticisms of Pennsylvania's emergency preparedness. "There is a remarkable lack of awareness and understanding of Pennsylvania's emergency management system, including the emergency alert levels, even among senior agency leaders," the report cited.

Secretary of Transportation Allen Biehler, State Police Commissioner Jeffrey Miller and newly appointed PEMA director Robert French provided testimony regarding each agency's efforts to improve their readiness; technological and human resource enhancements; improved internal communications; expanded communications with the public, and the development of clearer interagency emergency operations plans.

Senator Roger Madigan (R-Bradford) said he was pleased with the apparent progress made to date.  "The agencies have been very active in addressing the problems revealed by last winter's storms and subsequently in the Witt Report." 

"I believe they have correctly focused their efforts on core areas such as communications and strategic readiness that were major culprits in the February storm event. Only time will tell us how well the plans can be implemented," added Madigan.

Baker, who chairs the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, said "The Witt Report faulted the Commonwealth for not adopting emergency management as a core principle, and found a lack of awareness among all levels of the state's system."

"While the testimony given today demonstrates that the agencies have taken steps to improve planning and employee awareness of proper emergency management procedures, I think it is important that the administration conduct an independent after action assessment to determine if the changes made accurately reflect the recommendations in the Witt report," said Baker.

"There is still much work to be done, including the development of 511 traveler information system and adding reverse 911 capabilities to better enhance communication with the public in emergency situations.  We will be continuing to press for these and other improvements to our emergency management system in the months ahead," added Baker.

Contact:

Craig Shuey (Sen. Madigan)
717-787-3280

Lee Ann Labecki (Sen. Baker)
717-787-7428