Each week the Pennsylvania Department of Aging releases a Friday newsletter with information relevant to activities, issues and events for older Pennsylvanians and persons with disabilities across the Commonwealth.

Click here to read the February 13 newsletter.

Acting Secretary of the Department of Aging, Terese Osborne reinforced the importance of being prepared for emergencies.

“I will be taking part in regular meetings and trainings to ensure that we are prepared to respond in an emergency, as a continuity of operations, the Department already has staff trained as Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officers (EPLOs) who are prepared to work at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) command center, where staff from all state agencies collaborate, coordinate resources, maintain communications and serve as subject matter experts. For instance, we remain in contact with our local Area Agencies on Aging in order to help keep older Pennsylvanians residing in the service area(s) affected safe. This work is incredibly important, and I extend my gratitude to PEMA and all the EPLOs for their leadership and commitment to effectively coordinating responses to the emergency needs of our Commonwealth’s 67 counties in times of disaster.

“Benjamin Franklin once said, ‘Tell me and I might forget, teach me and I may remember, but involve me and I will learn.’ In an emergency, being informed, being prepared and being involved is your best defense. Start now by learning the risks, making an emergency plan and getting involved to help others. For more information about PEMA and emergency preparedness, please visit their website here.”