§7701. Duties concerning disaster prevention.

(a) Governor.--In addition to disaster prevention measures included in the Commonwealth and local plans, the Governor shall consider on a continuing basis steps that could be taken to prevent or reduce the harmful consequences of disasters. The Governor, from time to time, shall make recommendations to the General Assembly, political subdivisions and other appropriate public and private entities as may facilitate measures for prevention or reduction of the harmful consequences of disasters.

(b) Department of Environmental Resources.--The Department of Environmental Resources, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, shall keep land uses and construction of structures and other facilities under continuing study and identify areas which are particularly susceptible to severe land shifting, subsidence, flood or other catastrophic occurrence. The studies under this subsection shall concentrate on means of reducing or avoiding the dangers caused by this occurrence or the consequences thereof.

(c) Other Commonwealth agencies.--At the direction of the Governor, and pursuant to any other authority and competence they have, Commonwealth agencies, including but not limited to those charged with economic recovery responsibilities in connection with floodplain management, stream encroachment and flow regulation, weather modification, fire prevention and control, air quality, public works, land use and land-use planning, construction standards, public utilities and energy, shall make studies of disaster prevention-related matters.

(d) Schools.--Public-funded universities, colleges, and elementary and secondary schools shall be made available to local, county and State officials for emergency planning and exercise purposes and actual service as mass-care facilities in the event of an emergency evacuation.

(e) Vehicles.--School bus and transportation vehicles owned or leased by universities, colleges and school districts shall be made available to local, county and State officials for emergency planning and exercise purposes and actual service in the event of an emergency evacuation.

(f) Disaster response and emergency preparedness drills.--Annually, schools and custodial child care facilities shall conduct at least one disaster response or emergency preparedness plan drill.

(g) Plans.--Every school district and custodial child care facility, in cooperation with the local Emergency Management Agency and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, shall develop and implement a comprehensive disaster response and emergency preparedness plan consistent with the guidelines developed by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and other pertinent State requirements. The plan shall be reviewed annually and modified as necessary. A copy of the plan shall be provided to the county emergency management agency.

(July 13, 1988, P.L.501, No.87, eff. imd.; July 13, 2004, P.L.689, No.73, eff. 60 days)

Notation

2004 Amendment.  Act 73 amended subsecs. (f) and (g).

1988 Amendment.  Act 87 added subsecs. (d), (e), (f) and (g).

References in Text.  The Department of Environmental Resources, referred to in subsec. (b), was abolished by Act 18 of 1995. Its functions were transferred to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Protection.