Lycoming County Emergency Management Agency, Roads to Freedom partner on survey that could save lives in an emergency

In an emergency situation, knowing the functional and access needs of individuals is critical. Does someone have a documented disability? Do they have an automobile that can move them out of harm's way? Is a radio available in the home to monitor emergency bulletins?

These are all things that can affect an individual's ability to be evacuated during a crisis.

By completing the "Functional and Access Needs Survey" facilitated by Roads to Freedom in collaboration with the county's Emergency Management Agency, these issues can be addressed.

"It is a self-identifying tool for individuals in the community to let the county know any kind of specific needs they have that they would like the county planning or emergency first responders to know," said Kayla Webb, a student at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in the emergency management program.

Webb has been interning with Roads to Freedom Center for Independent Living and has been working on this project since last year. She presented it to the Lycoming County commissioners at their meeting this week.

A census taken in 2022 identified just under 19,000 individuals in the county with documented disabilities, Webb said.

The number obtained from the survey could prove to be much larger.

Included in the survey are a list of diagnoses and also a section where someone can list what their specific need is.

Webb used the example of someone who is autistic and sounds are a trigger for them.

"That could be included for potential situations," she noted.

Flyers with QR codes are being distributed at Crosscutter baseball games; posted at Weis Markets in the area; handed out at public events; and available at different community service agencies, Webb said.

Webb appealed to the commissioners to aid in getting the word out about the survey through a postcard mailing, which would reach all county residents.

"Unfortunately it's a very large undertaking for a nonprofit fiscally if not completely impossible," she said.

One quote she cited for printing and mailing postcards with the information about the survey would be about $35,000 with the possibility of a discount for a nonprofit.

Webb's presentation was for information only, so no action was taken by the commissioners.

In action items, the commissioners approved two change orders related to work at Third Street Plaza.

The first was with Anthony Visco to move 16 sprinkler heads at a cost of $1,203 and the second was with J&M Construction to remove and replace drywall around windows due to water leaking at a cost of $71,177.

The commissioners also approved an agreement with Buffalo Valley Door Service to install operators on garage doors at the Pre-Release Center at a cost of $10,822.

Other actions approved by the commissioners included: a resolution authorizing the submission of the COVID 19 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Capital Projects fund multi-purpose community facilities grant applications to the PA Broadband Authority for up to $2 million for Third Street Plaza's first floor renovation; the county's Probation with Restrictive Conditions grant application to the state's Commission on Crime and Delinquency in the amount of $380,000 for programs targeting offenders convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and facing mandatory sentences as well as the county's treatment courts; a recycling grant application to the Department of Environmental Protection in the amount of $200,000; an intergovernmental agreement for Talkgroup PSP for the county 911 center to share radio frequencies with the Pennsylvania State Police; an amendment to an agreement with Nokia of America for additional equipment for the new radio system at a cost of $5,000; and a Memorandum of Understanding between the county and West Branch Drug and Alcohol for opioid litigation services.

The next meeting will be at 10 a.m. May 2 in the Commissioners' Board Room, 1st floor Executive Plaza, 330 Pine St.