Emergency and Disaster Preparedness
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If you witness or experience an emergency, call 911.
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Sirens, Whistles, Flashing Lights. These are the sights and sounds of emergency vehicles rushing to the scene. Shale gas production brings a new danger to our community. As unconventional gas development commences in Penn Township, residents will be exposed to the different stages of this heavy industrial process in close proximity to our homes, businesses, and schools. These stages include construction of well pads, drilling of vertical and horizontal bores, high volume hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”), flowback wastewater management, and completion.
Undeniably, each stage of this heavy industrial activity brings with it inherent risks to our quiet, rural community. Some of the potential issues include, but are not limited to, truck accidents, transportation of toxic chemicals, chemical spills, gas leaks, dust filled air, and explosions/fires. It is a misconception that state and local regulations alone will ensure your protection. With 10 well pads and 50 plus wells currently proposed by Apex and Huntley & Huntley in our township, residents need to be reassured that our first responders are ready to protect the community.
It is your job to protect your family. Continue reading to learn more about:
-How to document an emergency
-What a PPC plan is and why is it important
-Spill response & remediation of exposure to toxins through spills and air emissions
-How the community, local governments, and county can support our first responders
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Pipeline Explosion in Salem Township
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What your family will need in case of an emergency:
1. Be Prepared with a home emergency kit
2. Prepare your vehicle with an emergency kit
3. Make a family emergency plan
4. Prepare your pets
Here are some state resources we found with helpful you will need to prepare your family for an emergency.
Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide
For additional questions contact:
Mary Beth Eslary, Public Information Officer, and Outreach Coordinator
meslary@co.westmoreland.pa.us
724-600-7305 – Office/ 724-600-9539 – Cell
911 Public Safety Lane, Greensburg, PA 15601
For more state resources, go to www.readypa.org
Emergency Contact List
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Local Emergency Numbers
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Steps to calling 9-1-1
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Ask for Westmoreland County 911 (if you calling from a 412 area code, you may be connected to Allegheny County)
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State address of your emergency (see well pad addresses)