HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Silver Jackets Team has been honored as the 2024 national “Team of the Year” for its exceptional collaboration in addressing Pennsylvania’s most significant natural hazard, flooding. This prestigious award, selected through peer voting by Silver Jackets teams nationwide, recognizes the Pennsylvania team’s contributions to effective flood risk management and community resilience. The team previously earned this recognition in 2013.
“We are proud of the efforts of our partners to help reduce flood risk across the Commonwealth each and every day. This award is a testament to the dedication of our partners who have worked on collaborative projects to make our communities more resilient from the devastating impacts of flooding,” said Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield.
The Pennsylvania Silver Jackets Team comprises over 20 partners, including government agencies, river basin commissions, academic institutions, and non-profits. This collective works to identify and implement community-based solutions for flood mitigation while enhancing preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.
“Managing floodwaters and flood risk is a shared responsibility, and the Silver Jackets bring together knowledge and expertise among all of the partners to help Pennsylvania communities,” said Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “This award recognizes the great partnership that we have across all levels of government and how we can better protect people and communities in Pennsylvania from devastating floods.”
The team’s accomplishments include developing resources such as a flood mitigation program guide and success stories to aid communities in resilience efforts. They have also organized workshops on floodproofing, delivered training on hazards like ice jams, and conducted educational projects, such as a multi-state story map commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Hurricane Agnes flooding.
Executive Director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), Andrew Dehoff, commended the team’s efforts, stating, “From warning systems and mapping to emergency exercises and educational bus tours, the SRBC realizes significant value from our investments in the team’s partnerships for community-based flood risk reduction.”
The Pennsylvania Silver Jackets Team works to build robust partnerships, promote flood risk education, and enhance resilience efforts to protect communities across the state. This recognition reflects the team’s ongoing dedication to safeguarding Pennsylvania from the impacts of flooding.
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