Pippy Bill Creating Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement
System Approved by Committee
Allows counties, municipalities to better respond to natural and manmade disasters.

Harrisburg – Legislation sponsored by Sen. John Pippy (R-37) to assist counties and municipalities in responding to disasters has been approved by the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

Senate Bill 1225 establishes a statewide Mutual Aid Committee comprised of state, regional, and local officials, and emergency responders. The committee is responsible for overseeing the implementation of a statewide mutual aid system including formalizing mutual aid agreements and clarifying the roles and responsibilities of Pennsylvania municipalities, state, and county officials, during disaster responses in which assistance is needed from outside the community in which the emergency occurred.

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), approved the measure February 5 and sent it to the full Senate for consideration.

“Mutual Aid agreements are important for effective and rapid response to manmade and natural disasters that require actions beyond the capacity of the municipality or county in which the incident has occurred,” said Pippy. “Pennsylvania is one of 15 states without a statewide mutual aid agreement. As a result, mutual aid at the state, county and local levels is often provided without written agreements and without clearly defined divisions of responsibility. Such cross-jurisdictional aid often raises questions about liability and workers compensation concerns.”

If a political subdivision chooses to participate, they may request assistance of other participating subdivisions. Requests would be made through the county 911 center, county emergency management coordinator, authorized designee in the responding county, or the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. If assistance is requested, the subdivision will reimburse the responding subdivision.

“Effective and coordinated approach to emergency management often require clear, written Mutual Aid Agreements, particularly in a state where we have such a large number of local governments,” said Baker, a co-sponsor of the bill. "It makes sense to work together and streamline emergency response efforts, so various levels of government can make the best use of their resources at critical times.”

The legislation was drafted in conjunction with the Governor’s Office, PEMA and the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics. State Fire Commissioner Edward Mann told the committee that Senator Pippy’s legislation is based on a national model developed in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

“Although the legislation creates a statewide intrastate mutual aid system, there is a provision that would allow any local government to opt out of the system. I would ask the committee to approve the bill and send it to the full Senate for passage,” Mann said.

“This measure recognizes that emergencies transcend the boundaries of a political subdivision and that intergovernmental coordination is essential for the protection of lives and property, and for the best use of available public and private assets,” said Pippy. “Whether it’s preventing disasters, responding to them, or recovering from them, cooperation is vital, and clearly-written Mutual Aid Agreements are an essential part of providing that cooperation.”

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CONTACT: Matt Campion (717) 787-5839

Pippy Bill Creating Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement System Approved by Committee Allows counties, municipalities to better respond to natural and manmade disasters.

Pippy Bill Creating Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement
System Approved by Committee
Allows counties, municipalities to better respond to natural and manmade disasters.