Public Hearing Tuesday to Consider Urban Search and Rescue Teams in Western Pennsylvania

CORAOPOLIS – The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee is holding a joint public hearing with the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at 10:30 a.m. at the Allegheny 911 Center located at 150 Hookstown Road., Coraopolis.

The public hearing will cover Senate Bill 792, which would create a Pennsylvania Task Force Urban Search and Rescue team based in Allegheny County to assume primary coverage in the western part of the state.

Participants will include:

  • Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), chair of the committee;
  • Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37), prime sponsor of Senate Bill 792;
  • Members of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee;
  • Randy Padfield, director, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA);
  • Brian Kokkila, assistant chief, Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire;
  • Matt Brown, chief fire marshal, Allegheny County; and
  • Kim Houser, assistant chief, Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department.

Watch the committee hearing live at veterans.pasenategop.com.

Back to Top