Armenia without emergency coordinator

BY ERIC HRIN (STAFF WRITER)
Published: March 16, 2010

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Armenia Township remains without an emergency management coordinator (EMC).

The last EMC, Chuck Babcock, stepped down last fall, due to what he called "health constraints."

"No one has stepped forward and expressed an interest in the position," Babcock said. "It is a volunteer position which requires some travel and time. The individual is educated in local, state and federal procedures, as well as homeland security issues. It is a good opportunity for someone to serve their township."

In the meantime, the township is making do as best as it can.

"Other townships have their hands full with their needs," Babcock said. "We tried to tie into other townships for the EOP (Emergency Operations Plan) and there were none willing to take us on due to logistical constraints. Some of the day-to-day responsibilities have been temporarily assumed by the township secretary, i.e. calling in road closures or township emergencies to the 911 operator."

He said the township being without an EMC isn't especially serious - that is, until a "major issue," such as a flood, tornado, or other disaster, occurs.

Babcock added, "It is understood that if and when a major issue does occur, the township and/or its residents may not be eligible for PEMA or FEMA funding for assistance or recovery costs if there is no EMC in position."

James Vajda Jr., the county's emergency management agency director, confirmed Babcock's claim.

When asked if he was concerned about the township being without an EMC, Vajda said he would be concerned about any municipality not having one. He said there are a couple others without EMCs, but he didn't have a listing at the time.

"The EMC is the communication link between township and state/federal agencies," Babcock said. "Also, with no one in office, no one is attending the quarterly (county) EMA meetings or receiving pertinent updates."

Township secretary Mallory Babcock said anyone interested in serving in the position can call her at (570) 297-5025.

She said people who can take charge in an emergency and can communicate well are good candidates for the job.

While there haven't been any tornados or such disasters in the township, a diesel fuel spill recently occurred at a Talisman gas well pad location on Fallbrook Road in Armenia Township.

It impacted a wetlands and Fall Brook, according to Dan Spadoni, spokesman with the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

He estimated it was a spill of least 200 gallons and said it spread across a "fairly significant area."

Talisman had said it was between 50 to 200 gallons.

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; e-mail: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.

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