Pennsylvania hosts their next primary election on May 18, 2021. This election cycle is HUGE for Pennsylvania residents and those of neighboring States as well as for the Emergency Management community. Out of the four items on the ballot that can be voted on, 3 of the 4 items on the ballot deal specifically with Emergency Management and Emergency Response. Again, the choices made by the voters on these issues will decide the States capabilities and wellbeing in any upcoming large-scale incident or disaster.
The verbiage used in the bill (and lets be honest, most bills) can be a bit deceptive, especially if you are not familiar with the issues, so lets talk about that.
Federally
At the Federal level, The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5207 (the Stafford Act) §401 is the law that dictates and details the statutory authority for most Federal disaster response activities, especially as they pertain to FEMA and FEMA programs, AND authorizes the president to declare a “major declaration” or “emergency declaration” in response to an incident or threatened incident that overwhelms the response capabilities of local governments.
What is the difference between a “major declaration” or “emergency declaration”?
Major Declaration
The President can declare a Major Disaster Declaration for any natural event, including any hurricane, tornado, storm, earthquake, volcanic eruption, fire, etc. that the President believes has caused damage of such severity that it is beyond the combined capabilities of State and local governments to respond. A major disaster declaration provides a wide range of federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure, including funds for both emergency and permanent work.
Emergency Declarations
An Emergency Declaration can be declared for any occasion when the President determines federal assistance is needed. Emergency Declarations supplement State and local efforts in providing emergency services, or to lessen or avert a catastrophe in any part of the United States. The total amount of assistance provided for a single emergency may not exceed $5 million. If this amount is exceeded, the President shall report to Congress.
Why do I care?
This all means that in regard to any particular State, that state’s Governor must petition the president for a declaration of a Major Disaster Declaration. In order for the petition to be approved, the state must also meet specific criteria related to funding used, funding planned and other planning and preparedness measures BEFORE federal aid even begins to mobilize to support an effected area. Governors must also specify what programs they are requesting in regards to a specific incident or disaster as not all programs are activated for every disaster. The basic programs that can be requested are Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Assistance.
How does PA’s Vote fit in to all this?
Pennsylvania’s Title 35, Ch 73: Commonwealth Services, covers the Governor and Disaster Emergencies, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Intrastate Mutual Aid and more. The proposed PA constitutional amendments to Article III Section 9 and Article IV, as well as the proposed Statewide referendum - ACT 2020-91 all directly and negatively impact this code and the Pennsylvania’s constitution, as well as Pennsylvania’s ability to act in a disaster, AND potentially at a Federal level.
If Pennsylvania passes these amendments, during critical disaster response and recovery times (after 21 days), residents of the State will have to wait for the General Assembly to gather, propose a motion, create all the legal documents, have the majority of 253-ish people agree on the matter, and then move forward. It has not been my experience that any government official has been in a hurry to ensure my personal well-being, especially not in the face of an emergency that affects them as well. Additionally, Pennsylvania local municipalities and State resources (which are somewhat underfunded and operating in a deficient manner) will be further stressed in attempting to deal with the event. Lastly, neighboring States can help at the expense of proper coverage for their constituents, if they have the resources available and wish to utilize money from their own budgets in order to help Pennsylvania and PA residents, knowing that Pennsylvania put itself into this predicament due to these measures.
My opinion, for what it’s worth.
From my point of view as an emergency manager, this vote is a terrifying prospect. From what I am seeing of people’s reactions (It may just be an example of a vocal minority making the biggest fuss, and I hope it is), it appears that these proposals may pass. It also appears that these resolutions have been created specifically in a way to subvert the decision making and abilities of Governor Wolf specifically, and unfortunately any future Governor of Pennsylvania in an act of political retaliation between parties.
As this vote applies not only to the current Governor (Wolf), but also any following Governor of Pennsylvania, please do not let your personal opinions of Governor Wolf and his COVID response efforts (good or bad) effect your decision on these matters. This is not a COVID issue, this is not a Wolfe issue, this is a Welfare of all Pennsylvanians as it pertains to Emergency Management Issue.
Using the information in this article I ask that, if you are a Pennsylvania voter, please consider using the info-graphic’s below to help inform your vote!
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