Emergency Management

About EMA

The City of Johnstown Emergency Management Agency provides coordination and support of the city’s response to emergencies and disasters of all types, both natural and manmade. The mission of the City of Johnstown Emergency Management Agency is to reduce the loss of life and property and protect citizens and institutions from all hazards by operating and maintaining a comprehensive all-hazard community-based, state-of-the-art emergency management infrastructure. This is accomplished by:

     1) Developing plans and procedures to ensure emergency response and recovery capabilities for all emergencies
     2) Coordinating emergency resources for emergencies and disasters
     3) Providing training for all emergency first responders, city employees, and the public
     4) Conducting exercises
     5) Coordinating all major special events and street closings

In addition, in furtherance of its mission, City of Johnstown EMA also:
     1) Serves as the central communications point during regional emergencies
     2) Conducts an assessment of resources and capabilities for emergencies
     3) Provides public awareness and outreach programs
     4) Provides 24-hour emergency operations center capabilities

In carrying out its mission, the agency works closely with other emergency response agencies, including the City of Johnstown Fire Department, City of Johnstown Police Department and Emergency Medical Services, as well as with the major utility companies and non-profit and volunteer organizations such as the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

Hazards

Pennsylvania is a large, complex state. With more than 12 million citizens living in a blend of urban and rural settings, a diverse industrial and agricultural based economy, a sophisticated network of intra and inter-state highways, modern rail and air transportation centers, and state-of-the-art medical, communications and educational facilities, it is essential that coordinated steps be taken to protect against the occurrence and impacts of natural and man-made disasters.
The first step in coordinating emergency management efforts is to develop a common understanding of all hazards and our vulnerabilities to each. This is necessary in order that appropriate action can be taken to reduce the chance of hazards becoming disasters, minimize the impact when they do occur and to expedite the recovery.

There are 11 Hazards posing the greatest dangers that have occurred most frequently in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

     1) Floods
     2) Fires
     3) Winter Storms
     4) Transportation Accidents
     5) Tropical storms, Tornadoes, Windstorms and Thunderstorms
     6) Hazardous Materials Accidents
     7) Geological Incidents (Earthquakes, Landslides and Subsidence)
     8) Nuclear Facility Accidents
     9) Dam Failures
    10) Terrorism
    11) Riots

The key to preparedness lies in pre-emergency cooperation among the various levels of government. This teamwork, in turn, depends upon community leadership, governmental support, citizen participation and the development of effective plans and operational systems. The need for effective leadership in emergency preparedness is paramount. The law assigns primary responsibility for emergency preparedness and response to elected officials at every level. Their understanding, direct support and involvement are essential, before, as well as during, emergencies.
The emergency management/preparedness program in Pennsylvania is based on a partnership that includes government at all levels, business and industry, the private sector and our volunteers. This team is committed to the development of effective plans and procedures that call for the coordinated commitment of existing resources to address threats to public health and safety as they occur in our communities. Developing an awareness and an understanding of these potential hazards is the first step toward effective community disaster preparedness.

Areas of Interest