Schuylkill County commissioners on Wednesday approved the appointment of a Core Planning Team for the county’s Hazard Mitigation Plan update.

“The team is an oversight and advisory committee that will assist with preparing, updating, and guiding the direction of the Hazard Mitigation Plan,” the proposal said. “Over the next several months, the team will work together to update the plan, using the time to build partnerships and awareness, and increase capacity and capability. The team also will learn from others, and build on the work already being done.

“The team will work with a broader planning partnership, including municipalities, municipal authorities, and other stakeholders. It will create a practical and workable action plan that reflects real, relevant issues in the county. Most importantly, this plan will be the outcome of a planning process that advances Schuylkill County‘s resilience.”

Hazard mitigation planning is a process for identifying and understanding the hazards facing the county, and prioritizing the actions it can take to build community resilience, according to county planners.

“Community resilience has multiple social and economic benefits, including preventing loss of life or injury; reducing property damage to homes, businesses, critical infrastructure, and the environment; reducing business and essential services interruptions; reducing revenue loss; and helping to lower emergency response and disaster, disaster, recovery costs. Resilient communities proactively, protect themselves against hazards, build self sufficiency, and become more sustainable.”

The hazard mitigation plan is a key factor in establishing eligibility for certain Federal Emergency Management Agency grants.

Schuylkill County’s hazard mitigation plan expires on March 19, 2024. The county has received grant funds to assist with the updating of that plan. The grant’s performance is from Aug. 6, 2022 to Aug. 5, 2025.

Core Planning Team members represent various areas of expertise.

The county staff component includes Susan Smith of the Planning Office; John Matz and John Blickley of Emergency Management; and Wayne Lehman and William Reichert of the Conservation District.

Business, local government, medical, fire, environmental, and infrastructure are all represented: Nancy Dusko, Natural Resources Conservation Service district conservationist, agriculture; Frank Zukas and Mark Minnig, Schuylkill, Economic Development Corporation, business; Darlene Robbins of the Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Association, business; Kurt Shelhamer, Emergency Management Services.

Also, Matthew Rebuck, PPL Regional Engineering Manager, energy; Aaron Clauser, Clauser Environmental/SCCD associate board member, environmental; Deniece Corcoran, Center for Independent Living, underserved populations; Kelly Malone, COAD/Schuylkill United Way, underserved populations and food, water and shelter; Jake Novitsky, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Forestry, fire service; James Misstishin, Pottsville Fire Department, fire service; Jim Reed, Schuylkill Haven Fire Department, fire service; Randy Kalce and Mark Mikita, Schuylkill County Local Emergency Planning Committee, hazardous materials.

Other members are: John Brobst Jr., Lehigh Valley Health Network, health and medical; Christopher Seyfried, St. Luke’s University Health Network, health and medical/local government; Troy Miller, Schuylkill County Municipal Authority, infrastructure; Don Cuff, Entech Engineering, infrastructure/local government; Dave Sattizahn, Schuylkill County Planning Commission/Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association/Pine Grove Borough Fire Chief, and Travis Smeltz, Schuylkill County Planning Commission, land use/community development.

Also, William Dempsey, Saint Clair Police Department, law enforcement; Ron Zimmerman, Port Carbon Borough/Schuylkill County CDBG/Schuylkill County Land Bank, local government/blight; Tony Prudenti, West Penn Township supervisor, local government; John Barrett, Foster Township supervisor, local government; Jerry Bowman, Schuylkill Haven Borough/Schuylkill County Conservancy, local government/environment; Marty Sowers, Light Heigel, local government/blight; Dan Koury, Department of Environmental Protection, mining; and Kate McMahon, NEPA Alliance, transportation.