This high-speed, low-drag presentation addresses significant events that could happen in your community. This webinar is designed to get participants thinking about potential hazards they may face in their municipalities and what their response capabilities might be. It will highlight four significantly disastrous, local case studies as examples. Part of the discussion will review what resources are available to mitigate situations like these from both the public and private sector.

Do your township officials, employees, and public meeting attendees know the recommended ways to stay safe in an active shooter situation? The Pennsylvania State Police will be presenting on Run, Hide, Fight: Active Shooter Response. In addition, we will take a look at the importance of having a plan, being aware, and knowing what to do to keep yourself and others safe.

If you think that high visibility volunteer recruitment campaigns are luxuries that only wealthy fire departments can afford, it is time to think again! Hear firsthand how fire departments throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey used the power of branding awareness, social media, recruitment websites, compelling videos, and face-to-face interactions to grow and retain its volunteer base. Pointers for implementing a similar program on a shoestring budget will be presented at this exciting webinar.

One of the first responsibilities assigned to the board of supervisors under the Second Class Township Code is to secure the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the township. Whatever the natural and man-made hazards and disasters your township may face, it must prepare to successfully “handle them all”. Being ready for these emergencies is the function of the township’s emergency management program. And while strong leadership by the Board of Supervisors is crucial to the ultimate success of these responsibilities, so, too, is the active involvement of your township’s Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) and the rest of your emergency management team. This course will provide everyone involved in your township’s emergency management program with a broad understanding of the role they play in making your township fully prepared and effectively able to respond to any future hazards or disasters.

Act 134 of 2022 recently took effect and amended the Criminal History Record Information Act to permit crime victims and criminal defendants to obtain criminal history investigative information from criminal justice agencies, including municipal police departments, for use in actual or potential civil lawsuits. The law contains various exceptions to disclosure, including where it would endanger people or public safety. Anyone with a township police department should attend this webinar to ensure that you are aware of the new requirements and how your departments should address these requests when received.

Many public employers do not understand their rights and liabilities under the Heart and Lung Act. As the result, improper benefits are provided and municipalities expend significant costs that may have been avoided. This webinar, presented by Scott Blissman and Ryan Cassidy of Eckert Seamans, will help you to identify who is and is not eligible to receive the generous benefits provided under the Act, what they receive, when benefits can be terminated and how. Learn to avoid the common mistakes made by employers which result in significant liability.

Cybercrime is a thriving business for hackers and an increasing cost burden for individuals and institutions. With the world becoming more interconnected, local governments have become even more vulnerable – unfortunately, it’s not a question of “if” but “when” your organization will be targeted by an attack. In this webinar, Tamara Kemmler of PLGIT will review the scope of cybercrime, as well as tools and security features you can implement to help mitigate some of these risks for your local government.

One of the most important matters a township supervisor needs to become familiar with is the status of their Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). The EOP specifies activities to be taken by the township and other community officials to protect the lives and property of citizens in the event of a natural or human-caused emergency or disaster. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code directs and authorizes townships to prepare, maintain, and keep current a disaster EOP for the prevention and minimization of injury and damage of its citizens. This webinar will review the requirements of what needs to be in your EOP and will detail the additional actions your township should take to effectively implement your EOP and keep it current.

This webinar will share case studies of what works and does not work when recruiting volunteer firefighters and, more importantly, discuss the changes that are necessary to keep people volunteering within your communities. The same principles discussed here can also be used when seeking volunteers for boards and commissions.