House Committees to Attend ‘Operation Hurricane’ Rescue Demonstration
WHAT: The House Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest), will join with the House Game and Fisheries Committee, chaired by Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-York), to observe Operation Hurricane, a full-scale exercise coordinated by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The agency’s Swift Water Emergency Response Team (SWERT), which is responsible for assisting with the search and rescue of storm victims by boat and helicopter, will participate along with Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and other response teams in a simulation of a hurricane to engage in the search and rescue of potential storm victims by boat and helicopter. The PA Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (PA-HART) will be mobilized. The purpose of this exercise is to test response protocols and timelines. Local emergency response, law enforcement, rescue/fire and emergency/medical teams will participate in the response exercise as well.
WHO: Oberlander, Gillespie, and members of the House Majority Policy Committee and House Game and Fisheries Committee.
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 15. The exercise will begin between 10-11 a.m.
WHERE: Fort Hunter Boat Launch, Harrisburg.
Media wishing to attend should contact Mike Parker at 717.705.7806.
Policy Committee Contact: Jennifer Keaton, 717.705.2094,
jkeaton@pahousegop.com