Severe Weather Awareness Week 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2013

CONTACT: Megan Silverstrim

Commissioners Issue Severe Weather Awareness Proclamation

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania- Cumberland County Board of Commissioners proclaimed March 4-8, 2013 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Cumberland County during today's regular Board of Commissioner's Meeting.  The program is a coordinated effort between the Cumberland County Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. National Weather Service.

The purpose of Severe Weather Awareness Week is to remind citizens to prepare for the expected and unexpected severe weather that can occur in Cumberland County.  Much like 2011, 2012 proved to be a year full of severe weather, including a late season hurricane named Sandy.  Forecasters expect 2013 to be just as active with severe weather, which means no one can afford to let their guard down when it comes to preparing.  With this in mind, DPS will be spending the week promoting preparedness at home and in the workplace, as well as educating the public on the various types of common and uncommon severe weather that can impact our area.

There will be a statewide weather exercise to coincide with Severe Weather Awareness Week, which will occur on March5, 2013.  For more information on the exercise, visit www.pema.state.pa.us or tune into your NOAA weather radios on March 5th.

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Dispatchers Issued Service Citation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 19, 2013

CONTACT:  Megan Silverstrim, Department of Public Safety

                        717.218.2913

 Three Cumberland County Dispatchers Recognized

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania- During today’s Cumberland County Board of Commissioners’ Meeting, three 9-1-1 dispatchers were recognized with a Cumberland County Department of Public Safety (DPS) Service Citation.  The quick and efficient actions of Dispatchers Molly Baker, Ron Bouch and Benjamin Thumma assisted in the apprehension of a murder suspect in Lower Allen Township.

On January 5, 2013, Dispatcher Thumma answered a 9-1-1 phone call from an individual from out of the area who stated that he wanted to turn himself in for a murder he committed the previous day in Iva, South Carolina.  Thumma worked to determine the location of the caller, the location of the victim in South Carolina and ascertained that the suspect had a gun in his vehicle.  Thumma then began giving the caller instructions, so that a peaceful apprehension would take place upon the arrival of police.  While Thumma remained on the line with the caller, Dispatcher Baker alerted Lower Allen Police of the situation and relayed detailed information, including the fact that the suspect was armed to the officers.  Dispatcher Bouch worked to locate the Iva Police Department contact information and quickly called to alert authorities of the reported murder in their jurisdiction.  Bouch remained on the line until the Iva Police arrived to the home of the reported victim and confirmed a deceased individual was found at the house.  Bouch relayed Lower Allen Police’s contact information to the Iva authorities so that the two agencies could coordinate their initial investigation. 

DPS Service Citations are reserved for individuals who during an event that rises above the normal conduct of business, have contributed significantly to the outcome of an event through appropriate intervention, assistance or influence.  For more information on DPS and the citation program, visit www.ccpa.net/publicsafety.

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20 Years of EMD POSTPONED

The EMD 20 year anniversary program that was scheduled for February 5th has been postponed.  A new date will be announced next week.