9-1-1 Reminder

October 22, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Megan Silverstrim

                            717-729-7019

Cumberland County Emergency Officials Remind Residents to Dial 9-1-1 for Emergencies

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania- The Cumberland County Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding residents that 9-1-1 is the number to call for emergencies.  Several incidents recently have occurred in which those experiencing emergencies have attempted to directly dial police or fire departments to report an emergency or potential emergency.  By doing so, callers may delay services and the appropriate emergency response may not be generated. 

Cumberland County 9-1-1 dispatchers are specially trained to determine the nature and severity of an emergency through a series of questions.  They are also equipped with special equipment that helps in identifying caller location and determining appropriate emergency response.  While 9-1-1 is for emergencies only, DPS realizes situations may arise in which callers are unsure if an incident is an emergency.  When in doubt, callers should dial 9-1-1 for assistance.  Callers may also dial the non-emergency lines (717-238-9676- West Shore, 717-243-4121- Carlisle,          717-532-8878- Shippensburg) if they need fire or police assistance, but do not believe it to be an emergency situation.

The Cumberland County 9-1-1 center answers nearly 350,000 phone calls a year and dispatches for police, fire and emergency medical services in Cumberland County.  All Cumberland County 9-1-1 dispatchers are certified in emergency medical dispatch, CPR/AED response and must maintain various state and federal training certifications.  For more information on Cumberland County 9-1-1 visit www.ccpa.net/publicsafety.

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Lower Allen Township Law Enforcement Incident

July 26, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Megan Silverstrim

                            717-729-7019

Law Enforcement Incident in Lower Allen Township Closes Lisburn Road

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania- (On behalf of the Lower Allen Township Police Department) The Cumberland County Special Response Team was sent to Lower Allen Township Park to assist Lower Allen Township Police with an out of state vehicle with an individual with a gun inside the vehicle.  The Cumberland County Coroner’s office has also been alerted to the scene and Lisburn Road has been reopened.  Lower Allen Township Park remains closed.  All further information releases will come from the Cumberland County Coroner’s Office.

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Intern Insight Week 2

My second week at the Department of Public Safety was an eventful and informative one. In the morning, I learned a lot about the Department’s mobile 911 unit, and was quite impressed by the amount of technology that is available to us at the county level. For some reason, I always assumed that county government was done MacGyver style, with very little materials to work with. I am finding more and more that my assumption was very wrong, and that there are in fact a lot of resources available to county level government.

            In the afternoon I attended a county commissioner’s meeting, my first meeting of the sort. What struck me the most was how official the meeting was, yet how it still ran efficiently. Working within county government has shown me that government does work well on a local level, despite the public perception that government does not work well on any level. I am becoming more and more optimistic about local government by working with the Department of Public Safety, and am more at ease trusting them to manage our emergencies, like the pending zombie apocalypse.

Meet Andrew - Intern Insight

My name is Andrew Bower and I am a 21 year old student of Shippensburg University. My major at Shippensburg University is political science, and to answer the question that everyone always asks: no, I do not plan to run for office. I have no interest in making policy or nominating Supreme Court justices. Those are things that should be left for better men than me. I prefer to focus my time on the political side of government, working with campaigns and analyzing the actions, statements, and shoes of our elected officials. However, that is not to say that my interest lies entirely on the political side of government. I do have an interest in the finer points of government, for example, emergency management. When I was first given a tour of the Department of Public Safety I was fascinated. Just in the 2 hours that I was in the building for a presentation, my attention was captured. I wanted to know more about what happens when someone calls 911, or who takes care of the roads during a blizzard. These things may seem like the mundane workings of bureaucracy to most people, but to me they were a behind the scenes look at some of the most important functions of our local government. Up until then, I had thought that FEMA was the only emergency management agency. I thought if a disaster was bad that FEMA would come into the area of disaster and clean up. I also thought that each police station had its own 911 center, and calls were routed to it based on proximity. I was very wrong. To learn that there is one center for a whole county boggled my mind. I have learned a lot about the Department of Public Safety just in the past few months preparing for my internship here, and I am sure that I have a lot of learning left to do.

First Energy Offers Winter Storm Tips

FirstEnergy Offers Tips to Prepare for Severe Winter Storm

Snow and Winds Forecast Across Territory

Akron, Ohio – With severe winter weather predicted for states served by FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) utilities, customers are encouraged to prepare for power outages that could result from high winds and heavy snow.

Beginning Wednesday, the storm is expected to produce a wintry mix of snow and high winds in western Maryland, higher elevations of West Virginia, central and northern New Jersey and parts of northern and eastern Pennsylvania.

Customers can take these following steps to prepare for the possibility of outages caused by winter storms:

Keep a flashlight and extra batteries handy. Use care when burning candles; open flames are a fire hazard.
Gather extra blankets or a sleeping bag for each person. Do not use gas stoves, kerosene heaters or other open-flame heat sources to prevent deadly carbon monoxide gas from building up in your home.
If you have a water well and pump, keep an emergency supply of bottled water and/or fill your bathtub with fresh water. Stock an emergency supply of convenience foods that do not require cooking. Keep a battery-powered radio with extra batteries on hand. Tune to a local station for current storm information. Have a hard-wired telephone or a charged cell phone handy in the event you need to report your electricity is out. Mobile phones can be charged in your vehicle using a car charger when the power is out. If you have a smart phone, this will ensure you have access to online information sources.

Downed Wires

Customers should immediately report downed wires to their local utility or local police or fire department. Customers should never go near a downed power line, even if they think it's no longer carrying electricity. Don’t try to remove trees or tree limbs from power lines. Wait for utility crews to arrive.

Customer Generators

Emergency power generators offer an option for customers needing or wanting uninterrupted service. However, to ensure the safety of the home’s occupants as well as that of utility company employees who may be working on power lines in the area, the proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician. When operating a generator, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected. Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers.
Outages

FirstEnergy customer call centers will be fully staffed. Customers who are without power are encouraged to call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com via smartphone.

FirstEnergy customers also can utilize a new free smartphone app to report outages and access important information and services related to their electric accounts. The app is available for Apple

® iPhone® and Android™ smartphones. Customers can use the keyword 3

"FirstEnergy" to locate the apps in the online store. A new mobile website is also available to customers who use a smartphone to visit www.firstenergycorp.com.

For updated information on the company’s storm preparation efforts, current outages, FirstEnergy’s storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, customers are urged to visit the 24/7 Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages. The operating companies also will provide updates via Twitter:

Toledo Edison: @ToledoEdison
The Illuminating Company: @IlluminatingCo
Ohio Edison: @OhioEdison
Mon Power: @MonPowerWV
JCP&L: @JCP_L
Penn Power: @Penn_Power
Penelec: @Penelec
Met-ED: @Met_Ed
Potomac Edison: @PotomacEdison
West Penn Power: @W_Penn_Power

FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. Its generation subsidiaries control more than 20,000 megawatts of capacity from a diversified mix of scrubbed coal, non-emitting nuclear, natural gas, pumped-storage hydro and other renewables. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

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Prepare for Outages With Winter Storm

March 5, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:    Megan Silverstrim, Cumberland County

                        717.729.7019

Cumberland County Officials Encourage Preparing for Outages as Severe Weather Approaches

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania– It is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Cumberland County and Mother Nature seems to be playing along as a winter storm is quickly approaching the area.  As part of Severe Weather Awareness week the Cumberland County Department of Public Safety (DPS) will be spending the day participating in a statewide severe weather exercise as well as preparing for the pending storm. 

                                                                                                         

With forecasters predicting up to six inches of snow, with the possibility of ten inches in some areas, DPS officials are encouraging residents to take general steps to prepare for the storm.  There is potential for utility outages with this storm, as high winds will be associated with this system.  Residents should have utility outage reporting numbers on hand, and supplies to help them through any long term outages (nonperishable food, extra blankets, flash lights, battery powered radio and charge cell phones).  Utility outages should not be reported to the 9-1-1 emergency number.  Residents are also urged to take extreme caution when traveling the snow covered roads and avoid traveling if possible. 

For more information on this severe weather event stay tuned to local news networks and visit www.ccpa.net.  For more information on preparing for this storm visit www.ready.gov/winter-weather.

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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. 

Celebrating 20 Years of EMD

December 17, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:     Megan Silverstrim, Cumberland County

                        717.729.7019

Cumberland County 9-1-1 Celebrates 20 Years of

Life Saving Medical Protocol

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania– In 2013 Cumberland County Department of Public Safety (DPS) will celebrate 20 years of Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD).  EMD is a nationally recognized program that relies on a series of standardized questions and instructions that provide dispatchers with a consistent approach to medical emergencies.  With EMD, dispatchers are able to determine caller location, nature of the emergency, triage the emergency and determine the seriousness of the incident.  With this information dispatchers can then determine the appropriate response, as well as offer pre-arrival medical instructions to the caller.

In 1993, Cumberland County Department of Public Safety played an integral part in introducing the life saving program to the 8 counties that comprise the Emergency Health Services Federation (EHSF). The mission of EHSF is to develop, maintain and improve the EMS system within the 8 county region. Cumberland County was the first in EHSF to actually adopt the program.  At the time EMD was a contentious concept but 20 years later all 8 counties in the region utilize the life saving protocol. 

All Cumberland County 9-1-1 dispatchers are EMD certified through a 32 hour course when hired.  Dispatchers must obtain continuing education credits and retest for their certification every two years.  Since its inception, dispatchers have successfully navigated callers through the steps to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), child birth and a variety of other medical conditions.  On February 5th, DPS will officially mark this 20 year anniversary with an interactive program that will be open to the public.  For more information on Cumberland County 9-1-1, visit www.ccpa.net/publicsafety                                                                    

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Cumberland and Dauphin 9-1-1 Collaboration

December 10, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:    Megan Silverstrim, Cumberland County

                        717.729.7019

Cumberland & Dauphin County 9-1-1 Collaboration

Assistances in HACC Assault Case

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania– The quick and thorough actions of a 9-1-1 dispatcher is often the first step to a successful police investigation and the recent abduction and assault that began on the Harrisburg Area Community College campus is a prime example.  Dispatchers from Dauphin and Cumberland County worked together to obtain vital information that aided officers in the initial moments of the incident and provided assistance to the victim until first responders arrived.     

                                                                                                         

This incident began in Dauphin County, and the initial 9-1-1 call was routed to Dauphin.  The Dauphin dispatcher realized the victim was in fact in Cumberland County and quickly patched the call to Cumberland 9-1-1.  Dispatchers from both counties remained on the line working diligently to calm the victim and determine her location, as she was unfamiliar with her surroundings.  With information received from the victim, dispatchers were also able to contact PennDot, to obtain a more detailed vehicle description and license plate number for the vehicle the suspect was to be traveling in. 

This “across the river collaboration” is not a rare event, but rather a daily occurrence as crime knows no boundaries and incidents occur requiring the assistance of resources from both Dauphin and Cumberland County.  This partnership involves various technological elements allowing the collaboration between both 9-1-1 centers to occur in an efficient and impactful manner.  For details on Dauphin County 9-1-1visit www.dauphincounty.org/government/EMA-911.  For more information on Cumberland County 9-1-1 visit www.ccpa.net/publicsafety.

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Beware of Disaster Fraud and Scammers

Anytime a disaster happens, you can be sure that instances of fraud and scams will increase.  Below are some tips from the folks at FEMA to help you protect yourself as you recovery from Sandy!

• There is never a fee to apply for FEMA disaster assistance or to receive it. 
• There is no fee for FEMA or U.S. Small Business Administration property damage inspections. 
• The only ways to register for FEMA help are to call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) or visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Or visit m.fema.gov from a smartphone or Web-enabled device.
• Government workers will never ask for a fee or payment. They wear a photo ID. Watch out for middle men who promise you will receive money, especially if they ask for an up-front payment.
• Get three written estimates for repair work. Then check credentials and contact your local Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce to learn about any complaints against the contractor or business.
• Before work begins, make sure you get a written contract detailing all the work to be performed, the costs, a projected completion date, and how to negotiate changes and settle disputes. 
• Make sure the contract clearly states who will obtain the necessary permits. Consider having a lawyer review the contract if substantial costs are involved. Keep a copy of the signed contract. 
• If the contractor provides any guarantees, they should be written into the contract clearly, stating what is guaranteed, who is responsible for the guarantee and how long the guarantee is valid. 
• Pay only by check or a credit card. A reasonable down payment may be required to buy materials for some projects, but don't pay anything without a signed contract. 

Cumberland County DPS is here to help you as you recovery from any damage that resulted from Sandy.  Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. 

County Departments Close

October 29, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:    Cumberland County Commissioners’ Office

                        717.2470.6150

Cumberland County Closes Offices

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania– The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has announced that the Cumberland County Departments will be closing at noon and will remain closed tomorrow.  Commissioners will meet at 2:00 pm today as scheduled for a brief meeting, after which the Courthouse will be officially closed.

Cumberland County is experiencing flooding and high winds associated with “Sandy.”  Stay tuned to media reports for continued weather and flooding updates as well as other emergency information.  Cumberland County Department of Public Safety will also be posting updates via Facebook (www.facebook.com/cumberlandcountydps) and Twitter (ccpa_net_dps911).

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Cumberland County Commissioners Declare Disaster Emergency

October 29, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:    Megan Silverstrim, Cumberland County

                        717.218.2804

Cumberland County Declares Disaster Emergency As “Sandy” Moves Through Pennsylvania

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania– The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has signed a Disaster Emergency Declaration for Cumberland County.  This declaration is pursuant to the provisions of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code.  

This declaration authorizes the Cumberland County Department of Public Safety to take all appropriate actions needed to effectively mitigate and respond to the current disaster situation.  This declaration also allows Cumberland County officials to purchase needed supplies, employ temporary workers and enter into contracts and agreements with vendors without the “time- consuming procedures and formalities normally prescribed by law.” 

Cumberland County is experiencing flooding and high winds associated with “Sandy.”  Stay tuned to media reports for continued weather and flooding updates as well as other emergency information.  Cumberland County Department of Public Safety will also be posting updates via Facebook (www.facebook.com/cumberlandcountydps) and Twitter (ccpa_net_dps911).

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Preparing for Sandy

October 26, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:    Megan Silverstrim, Cumberland County

                        717.729.7019

Cumberland County Emergency Management Officials Urge Residents to Prepare for Hurricane Sandy

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania– The Cumberland County Department of Public Safety (DPS) is urging residents to take time this weekend to prepare for Hurricane Sandy.  While forecasters are still uncertain of Sandy’s path or impact, the potential exists for Cumberland County to see large amounts of rain and high winds. 

If this storm tracks into Central Pennsylvania, widespread utility outages are possible.  Area utility companies are already busy preparing for potential outages and have auxiliary crews on standby ready to respond.  Residents should take the time before the storm to prepare for these outages by stocking their disaster supply kits with items including but not limited to flashlights, water, non-perishable foods, prescription medications, blankets and spare batteries. 

The threat of flooding exists with this storm, so residents are also urged to avoid traveling through flooded areas and have an evacuation plan in place if they live in a flood prone area.  DPS staff is preparing for this event and will be providing important updates and safety tips to residents.  For more information visit www.ccpa.net, www.twitter.com/ccpa_net_dps911, or www.facebook.com/CumberlandCountyDPS.

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Cyber Predators

This week, as part of Cyber Security Awareness Month, our staff had the opportunity to sit down with Senior Supervisory Special Agent (SSSA) Craig LeCadre from the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and talk about Cyber Crime.  SSSA LeCadre has 24 years of law enforcement experience, starting out with the Harrisburg Police Department, and then transitioning to the Office of the Attorney General.  SSSA LeCadre’s primary focus is education and outreach and we are so very thankful to him for the great information he provided us!  He gave us some great data on cyber predators and we wanted to share it with you!    

What we learned about cyber predators…

-          Cyber/internet predators are an issue we face across Pennsylvania.  Currently the Office of the Attorney General has 8 agents and 2 attorneys that investigate individuals who target children online for victimization.  In 2005 alone their office arrested 313 offenders and to date have a 100% conviction rate!

-          The laws governing internet activities cannot keep pace with changing technology, making the fight against cybercrime and cyber predators challenging.

-          Cyber predators find their young victims in chat-rooms, social networking sites, live audio/visual sites like Skype and through online gaming. 

-          Cyber predators will work to find out personal information through seemingly harmless conversations, imitates emotional status in hopes of befriending child and fabricates mutual interests.

-          These predators use the internet to seek out their victims because it allows them to be anonymous and assume fake identities (such as other children).  It gives them easy access to personal information that children may have posted on sites and offers geographic locations through “geo tagging” markers on pictures and posts. 

-          Most cyber predators are male, often married with children, professionals and in good standing in the community, usually involved in activities that provide access to children, possess above average intelligence, and highly motive to get access to their victims (will travel far).

-          Children targeted by cyber predators are typically, BUT NOT ALWAYS those who spend a large amount of time online, has more technical skills that parents, has few friends and poor interpersonal skills, may not spend much “quality” time with parents, posts pictures, videos or private info online, and lack parameters regarding internet use.  

How to protect our children from cyber predators…

-          Use internet filters to block inappropriate or adult websites

-          Limit texting/camera features on kids cell phones

-          Use internet tracking software to see where your kids are surfing

-          Place computer in a visible location in your home, that allows you to frequently view what your child is doing

-          Monitor and periodically check your child’s social networking page for inappropriate photos or info

-          Maintain an open dialogue with your children so that they would feel comfortable enough to share something important with you

-          Establish parameters for responsible use of technology

-          Educate kids on cyber predators and the dangers that exist

SSSA LeCadre shared some other great information with us that we hope to share with you over the next week, so stay tuned!

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October 1, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Megan Silverstrim, Cumberland County

                            717.218.2900

Cumberland County Proclaims Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania– Cumberland County Board of Commissioner proclaimed October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in the county during an evening meeting in Lower Allen Township.  This month will be dedicated to highlighting the importance of cybersecurity at home and the workplace. 

Cumberland County Information Management and Technology Office and Department of Public Safety will spend October focusing on educating county employees, residents and businesses on the importance of cybresecurity through a variety of programs.  Each week will focus on a different theme that will address a assortment of topics including  general cybersecurity, cyber-crime, workforce cyber education and much more! 

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an initiative developed and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).   For more information on this DHS program visit www.dhs.gov.  For more information on Cumberland County’s cybersecurity efforts visit www.ccpa.net.

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PROCLAMATION

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October 2012

WHEREAS, Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of cyber safety and to encourage all Americans to take the necessary steps to protect themselves and their information;

WHEREAS, every American has a stake in securing our networks and personal information against a multitude of potential threats and cyber incidents, such as unauthorized changes to hardware and software, social engineering, phishing, or unauthorized access to data that may result in extensive damage to cyber infrastructure, disruption in services, major security breaches, and may cause other adverse impacts upon the general population of Cumberland County;

WHEREAS, The Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign (www.stopthinkconnect.com) is a national effort coordinated by a coalition of private companies, non-profits and government organizations to help all digital citizens stay safer and more secure online;

WHEREAS, the Commissioners of Cumberland County along with the Information Management and Technology Office, the Department of Public Safety and other Federal, State, County, and local officials participate in and support month-long Cybersecurity Awareness designed to raise awareness and the need to take protective actions to secure  information, networks and cyber infrastructure;

WHEREAS, in recognition of the need to adequately secure, call upon the people of Cumberland County to recognize the importance of securing and observe this month by participating in cybersecurity awareness events, activities, and programs at home and in the workplace;

NOW THEREFORE, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim October 2012 as CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

It's National Preparedness Month

It’s September, which means… It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!  Ok, so maybe National Preparedness Month (NPM) wasn’t what Andy Williams was signing about, but it is what we’re talking about this month!  NPM is a nationwide initiative that aims to promote personal, home, community and business disaster preparedness!  Try as we might, we can never stress enough how important preparedness is!  The impact a disaster has on you, your family and your workplace can be diminished significantly with even a small amount of preparedness.  Not sure what you need to do to prepare?  We’ve got you covered!  We’ll be spending the month posting important tips that will get you, friends, family, co-workers and neighbors disaster ready!  We encourage you to engage in the discussion all month, ask us questions and help spread the preparedness message!  The fun begins today!  Happy National Preparedness Month…GET A KIT, MAKE A PLAN, BE INFORMED!

PennDOT Traffic Advisory- August 25, 2012

PennDOT Traffic Advisory

Aug. 22, 2012

PennDOT to Remove Bridge over I-83 Near Harrisburg, Aug. 25I-83 to be Detoured through Lemoyne Saturday Night into Sunday

Harrisburg – PennDOT District 8 today announced that on Aug. 25 crews will begin to remove the bridge that originally carried Lowther Street over Interstate 83 in Lemoyne Borough, Cumberland County. A temporary structure was set in place on July 21 to carry Lowther Street over I-83 while the existing bridge is demolished and a new bridge is built.

This work is part of a nearly $8 million contract that was awarded March 28 to Susquehanna Valley Construction Corporation of New Cumberland, Cumberland County, and includes: installation of a temporary bridge, removal of the existing Lowther Street bridge, and construction of a new two-span bridge large enough to accommodate four lanes of mainline I-83 as well as three ramps underneath with 20-feet 10-inches of vertical under clearance.

PennDOT advises motorists traveling I-83 and Route 581 in Lemoyne that Aug. 25, weather permitting, they will first encounter a traffic shift and single-lane restrictions in each direction after 9 p.m. followed by a six-hour overnight detour starting around 11 p.m. as crews begin removal of the Lowther Street bridge over I-83. The detour will be in place until 5 a.m. the following morning. However single-lane restrictions may remain in place until 6 a.m. for the removal of barricades and signs.

I-83 North will be directed off at Brandt Avenue, turn right onto Lowther Street through Lemoyne back to I-83 North. I-83 North traffic headed to Route 581 West will also follow Brandt Avenue to Lowther Street and continue on I-83 North across the Susquehanna River into Harrisburg and be directed off at Exit 44-A for 13th Street to I-83 South back across the Susquehanna River to Route 581 West.

I-83 South will be directed off at Exit 42 for Lemoyne, follow Lowther Street over the interstate, turn left at 10th Street and back to I-83 South.

Route 581 East traffic headed to I-83 South will be directed to I-83 North to Exit 41-B for Highland Park, turn right onto Lowther Street through Lemoyne over the interstate and turn left at 10th Street to I-83 South.

Throughout the course of construction it will be necessary to detour I-83 traffic on five occasions: to set the temporary structure, to demolish the existing bridge, twice to set new bridge beams, and finally to remove the temporary structure. PennDOT will issue travel advisories when this work is scheduled.

The existing single-span concrete bridge that carries Lowther Street over I-83 was built in 1952 and is considered functionally obsolete. This structure is a major contributing factor to the bottleneck on I-83 North approaching the City of Harrisburg and Route 581 West. I-83 cannot be widened until this structure is removed.

Once the original structure is demolished a new bridge will be constructed over I-83. 

PennDOT expects work on the new Lowther Street bridge to be completed by the end of May 2013.

For more information on the Lowther Street bridge replacement project over I-83 in Lemoyne go to www.penndot8.com.

Preparedness Month Proclamation

August 20, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Megan Silverstrim, Cumberland County

                            717.218.2900

Cumberland County Proclaims Preparedness Month

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania– Cumberland County Board of Commissioner proclaimed September as Preparedness Month in the county during their regular meeting today.  This is Cumberland County’s 6^th year participating in this nationwide initiative that promotes personal, home and disaster preparedness. 

The Cumberland County Department of Public Safety (DPS) will spend September presenting various disaster preparedness programs to groups around the county as well as providing preparedness tips and statistics on their various social media sites.  This year DPS will also be hosting it’s first ever Disaster Chef Cook-Off on September 14^th at their facility.  Disaster Chef’s will work to prepare a culinary delight using only preselected non-perishable items.  Chef’s will also only be allowed to use a gas grill for cooking purposes, as there are no ovens, stove tops and microwaves during disasters!  Their dishes will then be put to the test by a panel of judges who will crown a Cumberland County Disaster Chef 2012.  Community members and first responders are invited to attend and watch the cook-off.

National Preparedness Month is sponsored by the Ready Campaign, a Homeland Security initiative.  For more information on this program visit www.ready.gov.  For more information on Cumberland County’s preparedness efforts visit www.ccpa.net.

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