Evacuation Crisis Training at Butler County Community College Public Safety Training Facility continuation

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

Butler County Community College will use their 2009 Congressional Earmark funds to integrate existing training for first responders and municipal/industry workers. This training will enhance coordination of resources, communication, and management with an understanding of what all responsibilities entail. This will include extensive cross training and joint exercises in the classroom, hands-on experiential learning, and realistic, chaotic scenarios that prepare first responders to work with each other in disaster related conditions. Several teams of responders throughout the Western Pennsylvania region will be able to respond effectively to urban areas, such as Pittsburgh, Erie, and Cleveland; in the event those urban response teams are disabled or overwhelmed. Further, these teams will be able to immediately respond and then augment the efforts of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with expertise and local knowledge. Butler County Community College is prepared to not only provide this integrated and experiential training, but is well-positioned to create a Disaster Command Center in the event that a nearby urban center is incapacitated. Through all these initiatives, the intent will be to restore transportation and municipal services to major evacuation routes as soon as possible and mitigate the ramifications of a trapped and panicked public.

NCA/NCF