SCTF PIO

At a recent Incident Management Team meeting/training session, the Leadership Team of the Task Force presented Gary with a plaque to express gratitude and thanks on behalf of the 9-County emergency management community for his 14 years of dedicated service as a Planning Specialist. We look forward to a continued relationship with Gary, but wish him well with his well-deserved retirement. Stay safe and well-rested, Sir.

Days 2 and 3 of the Homeland Security Conference found numerous opportunities for learning, collaboration and strengthening relationships through various keynote speakers and presentations. This is event is successful because of the efforts of the planning team members, committee members and partnerships with many agencies that are able to bring quality facilities, presentations and guest speakers. Thank you to all that participated!

Day 1 of the Homeland Security Conference (2024) found numerous partners and agencies learning of the State of the South Central Task Force... each committee had the opportunity to spotlight their accomplishments from the previous year, what their goals, visions and accomplishments achieved so far in 2024.

There has been tremendous education and human-interest stories in the sessions this week at the regional Homeland Security Conference offered by all sectors of our SCTF world! I'm only posting about Agriculture because that's the sector I specifically represent and I remembered to take photos during the sessions.

Ag breakout #2 is focused on dog law, aggressive dog behavior, canine apprehension, and legal animal seizures. Thanks to Colleen Shelly, CEO/Director of Training from PA Academy for Animal Care and Control.

Day 3 of the regional Homeland Security Conference. The Agricultural Subcommittee is offering 2 breakouts this morning. First one is a presentation by USDA Office of Homeland Security's Mike Sharon.

Entitled "Derailments, Strikes & Hackings; the impact on our food supply and how responders might be involved".

He added the impacts of a bridge collapse due to the events of last week.

SCTF AHIMT members getting in some good training this week!!

The annual IAEM conference will be in beautiful Colorado Springs this Year. Look for the call for speakers in the new few weeks at IAEM.com

The SCTF Agriculture Subcommittee, Penn State Extension and Cumberland's Dept of Public Safety hosted a "Farm Safety Day for First Responders" today at the Tracy Gleim Farm in Carlisle. Main lessons learned were on livestock behavior and how to react, being aware of hazards on the farm to keep first responders safe, and how standard equipment on fire/rescue trucks can be used to corral and control escaped livestock/poultry.

Day 2, back on the battlefield all morning and classroom for part of the afternoon. Another worthwhile day!

A few more photos from the afternoon on the battlefield. Classroom wrap up tonight, and back for Day 2 tomorrow.

Great discussion. Good correlations being drawn.

E. Cemetery Hill

Kicking off 2 days of history, leadership development, and strengthening of relationships. Relationships and connections are what makes the Task Force effective and strong!

Look at this fantastic video put out by our Regional Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)... Childhood Vaccines. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m0Tecs9bFeYSSzATl36pKhykHZh3_4jS/view?usp=sharing

As part of the many quality breakout sessions during the recent Homeland Security Conference, the Agriculture Subcommittee offered a classroom session on how understanding livestock behavior and other dangers on the farm can save your life as a first responder. Then we moved outside to comb over a squad truck and police cruiser for common tools that could double as a way to corral or control escaped or loose livestock or poultry in many situations.

Congratulations, Joe Cocciardi, on receiving the Mrs. Smith Award. Well deserved!!

The 19th conference has kicked off!!

Please note!

The SCTF Agriculture Subcommittee was happy to be back at the PA State Association of County Fairs convention in Hershey last week. We hosted a session presented by PSP and PaCIC about active shooter planning and "see something, say something" reporting. Local and county fairs have many, many people and livestock to consider when planning. The more resources we can provide for emergency preparedness, the better.

DLA Installation Management Susquehanna conducts Confined Space Rescue Training with local Nearly 40 highly trained fire department special operations personnel from across the region participated in the daylong event which featured several confined space rescue scenarios taking place

FOUND!

SCTF IMT is assisting DCNR and multiple crews from Cumberland and York counties in a search for a missing teenager, Luke Risser. Luke went missing from his family’s cabin in Pine Grove Furnace Park at 430 pm Monday. Crews have been continuously searching for the teen since his dog returned without him.
The park is approximately 8 miles from I-81, and surrounded by the Michaux State Forest
Call 9-1-1 if you have seen him.

Mark you calendar!! 2023 Homeland Security Conference dates have been finalized!! April 4 - 5, 2023 will provide us with the latest information, opportunities and networking for our emergency management programs!!

Both medical and non-medical volunteers can deploy on these missions - anyone can fit test! If you have not attended one of our training sessions, we can train you on site. For more information on upcoming deployments, please e-mail [email protected] or send us a message!