Emergency Management

Pennsylvania’s Emergency Management Services Code (35 Pa. C.S. §§ 7101 et seq.) directs and authorizes every political subdivision (i.e., county, city, borough, incorporated town, and township) to have an emergency management program that includes:
  • a trained Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC)
  • an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
  • and a functioning Emergency Operations Center (EOC) with a trained staff.
View Emergency Management Coordinators
Situational Awareness Transportation, Utilities, Water and On-line Reporting form. 
  1. Nominate a Local Emergency Management Coordinator
  2. Appointment of Municipal EMC
  3. Certification Program

Title 35 requires all political subdivisions to appoint an Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) to oversee planning, training, and preparation during non-disaster times, and to act as the coordinator in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during times of disasters. The EMC is the primary agent for the elected officials and is invaluable when disaster strikes.

The municipal EMC is recommended by the executive officer or governing body of the municipality and appointed by the Governor. The ideal candidate to act as the municipal EMC has the following characteristics:

  • Be a leader
  • Have the respect of the emergency response groups in the community
  • Be capable of rallying all community resources
  • Have planning and training abilities
  • Possesses administrative abilities

To request for the appointment of a municipal emergency management coordinator, submit this request form (DOC) to the county emergency management coordinator.