Pennsylvania sends disaster relief workers to California

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – According to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), two PEMA employees are in California to help with the devastating flooding and damage across the state.

“The impact of the historic and deadly floods that recently witnessed California was as shocking as it was heartbreaking,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “Pennsylvania is one of the most flood-prone states in the country, so our employees have the experience to provide much-needed support to our colleagues and communities in California.”

PEMA staff will be near Sacramento, the capital of California, for two weeks.

California requested support from the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), which allows all 50 states and US territories to share resources during disasters.

No Pennsylvania taxpayer money is used during the PEMA employee’s deployment because, according to PEMA, all costs associated with EMAC support are borne by the requesting state.