The Lycoming County Fire Police Association will hold a meeting Wednesday, July 18 in South Williamsport to consider the formation of a task force to handle emergencies and special weather-related incidents.
Elected officials, leaders of emergency services and others are expected to attend the 6:30 meeting at the First Ward Fire Co. on Hastings Street.
"We are trying to get interest in a task force," said Lycoming County Fire Police Commissioner Scott Hanner, a member of DuBoistown Fire Department.
Hanner said a task force could bring about more coordinated and timely efforts during emergencies.
Quicker responses by greater numbers of emergency personnel to situations such as floods can mean the difference in saving lives.
"If we have a task force, it will be one tone set off in everyone's pagers," he explained. "As it stands now you have to call separate departments."
Fact Box
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Lycoming County Fire Police Association
WHY: Formation of fire police task force
WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 18
WHERE: 1st Ward Fire Co., South Williamsport
Hanner said he hopes to gain interest for a task force among police and fire departments in the county.
"We hope to get people in Lycoming County on board with this," he added.
State Reps. Garth Everett, R-Muncy and Rick Mirabito, D-Williamsport; Lycoming County Commissioners Ernie Larson, Jeff Wheeland and Tony Mussare, PennDOT officials and representatives from Williamsport Regional Airport and Little League Baseball are among those expected to attend the meeting.
