GOVERNOR'S OFFICE Proclamation of Disaster Emergency [45 Pa.B. 5382]
[Saturday, August 29, 2015]August 24, 2015
Whereas, on June 23, 2015, a continuing weather pattern of high winds, severe thunderstorms, heavy rains and tornadoes and widespread flooding began to affect the Commonwealth; and
Whereas, this weather pattern continued until June 30, 2015, and caused severe adverse effects to multiple political subdivisions in the Commonwealth; and,
Whereas, these impacts were both immediate and long term, and require a comprehensive partnership between the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions for effective recovery; and,
Now Therefore, pursuant to the provisions of Subsection 7301(c) of the Emergency Management Services Code (35 Pa.C.S. Section § 7101 et seq.,) I do hereby proclaim the existence of a disaster emergency throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Further, All Commonwealth agencies purchasing supplies or services or construction in response to this emergency are authorized to utilize the emergency procurement procedures set forth in Section 516 of the Commonwealth Procurement Code, 62 Pa.C.S. Section 516. This proclamation shall serve as the written determination of the basis for the emergency under Section 516; and,
Further, I do hereby direct that the emergency response, recovery, and mitigation aspects of the Commonwealth and all applicable county, municipal, and other emergency response plans be activated and that all state, county, and municipal actions taken to implement those plans be coordinated through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency; and
Further, I hereby suspend the provisions of any other regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of Commonwealth business, or the orders, rules or regulations of any Commonwealth agency, if strict compliance with the provisions of any statute, order, rule or regulation would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this emergency event. All Commonwealth agencies may implement their emergency assignments without regard to procedures required by other laws, except mandatory constitutional requirements, pertaining to the performance of public work, entering into contracts, incurring of obligations, employment of temporary workers, rental of equipment, purchase of supplies and materials, and expenditures of public funds; and
Further, I hereby direct the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to continue to coordinate the response, recovery, and mitigation activities of state departments and agencies through the State Emergency Operations Plan to deal with the exigencies of this disaster emergency.
Still Further, I hereby urge the governing bodies and executive officers of all political subdivisions that may be affected by this emergency event to act as necessary to meet the current exigencies as legally authorized under this proclamation, including the employment of temporary workers; by the rental of equipment; and by entering into such contracts and agreements as may be required to meet the emergency, all without regard to those time-consuming procedures and formalities normally prescribed by law, mandatory constitutional requirements excepted.
Given under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, this twenty-fourth day of August in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the Commonwealth the two hundred and fortieth.
Governor
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 15-1571. Filed for public inspection August 28, 2015, 9:00 a.m.]
