Local use of security funds

Members of the Northwest Central Pa. Emergency Response Group recently issued a summary of activities, in response to news media reports covering wasteful spending of federal Homeland Security funds elsewhere in the nation.

The Northwest Central Pa. group services Cameron, McKean, Elk, Jefferson, Clearfield and Clarion counties. Each county is represented by its emergency management coordinators. These officials make decisions on spending for planning, training and equipment necessary to respond to emergencies.Any local allotments must be approved by the Pa. Emergency Management Agency.

The group meets monthly in person and occasionally through video-conferencing.

A majority of the money received to date has been used for communications equipment, such as radio towers, mobile radios, portables and personal alerting devices for the emergency responders. Each of the six counties has been able to upgrade its 9-1-1 capabilities through the Homeland Security funds. Other major purchases include trailers -- mass casualty, hazardous materials and communications -- to provide services at related incidents.

Members have also developed a web-based resource program that helps personnel quickly locate equipment and other resources in the event of an emergency.