NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
11 September 2003

REHAB OF VERNON STREET PLAYGROUND DEDICATED BY MAYOR

NEW SCHWEIKER SPECIAL OPERATIONS CENTER DEDICATED IN HARRISBURG; FACILITY TO HOUSE FEDERAL & STATE SPECIALIZED EMERGENCY TEAMS

Harrisburg, PA—Pennsylvania’s emergency response capabilities are significantly enhanced today with the grand opening of the new Mark S. Schweiker Special Operations Center by Governor Ed Rendell and Harrisburg Mayor Stephen R. Reed. Named in honor of the former Governor, the newly-constructed Center serves as the headquarters facility for the state’s newly formed PA Urban Search and Rescue Response System.

The facility houses Pennsylvania Task Force One, which has existed for over 10 years and is designated for response anywhere in the nation or world to a federally declared disaster site. Additionally, a second statewide team, for response capability within Pennsylvania, is headquartered at the new site.

Former Governor Mark S. Schweiker provided funding for the start-up of the second team formed after Sept. 11, 2001, and for construction costs of the modern new headquarters facility. The city then had the facility built as the City of Harrisburg is the statewide administrator of the two statewide response teams.

Mayor Reed said PA Task Force One, one of 28 USAR teams based around the country, was the first unit deployed to Ground Zero in New York City during the 9-11 disaster. Elements of the Dauphin County Hazardous Materials Response Team, and the County’s Emergency Response Tactical Team will also be housed at the modern new operations center, said the Mayor and Governor.

Reed and Rendell said the new Schweiker Special Operations Center encompasses 20,000 sq. ft. of storage and administrative space, and houses vehicles, equipment, communications gear, computers and other specialized emergency rescue materials and supplies. The Center cost approximately $580,000 to construct and was funded through a $3.5 million state Homeland Security Grant, with the remaining grant monies used to train and equip the newly-formed statewide USAR team. ECI of Dillsburg served as general contractor for the project.

Governor Rendell said the new USAR team significantly upgrades the state’s emergency response capabilities: “This is a significant step in further protecting the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Governor Ed Rendell. “With the establishment of our own regional USAR teams, we are bringing the very latest in emergency rescue technology, training and expertise closer to all Pennsylvanians, thereby improving the chances of survival for anyone who, heaven forbid, may one day need their services. We are very pleased to welcome this new team into service, and truly hope that we never need to call upon you!”

Harrisburg Mayor Stephen R. Reed, who championed the initial federal USAR team and likewise encouraged Pennsylvania to establish its own team, said: “Our experience with PA Task Force One was that the team could really make a difference if it was activated and deployed quickly, and if they had all of the specialized tools and gear necessary for different emergency situations.

“Having a second statewide team significantly upgrades the Commonwealth’s emergency response capabilities, and we are delighted to serve as the host operator of this important new public safety initiative.”

Mayor Reed noted that Harrisburg has long served as the administrator of FEMA’s PA Task Force One, and will continue in that role for the second new statewide team. “There is no question that PA Task Force One provides invaluable service to our state and nation, as has been repeatedly proven over the past several years. Having a centralized location for storage, training, and operations of the state USAR team, as well as providing space for such other vital emergency response agencies as the County’s Law Enforcement Tactical Team and our Hazardous Materials Response Team, will significantly improve both our incident response capabilities, as well as other administrative and operational controls.”

“Our appreciation is appropriately extended to Governor Mark S. Schweiker, whose good stewardship helped Pennsylvania through some very trying days in the post-9-11 period. His vision and commitment to enhancing emergency preparedness and response in the Commonwealth will serve our citizens well in the days and years to come, and on behalf of all Pennsylvanians, we extend our thanks,” Mayor Reed said. The mayor named the building in honor of Schweiker during the groundbreaking ceremony held in 2002.

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