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Regional emergency-management group nears final memorandum of understanding for shared response truck
Summary
Representatives from seven municipalities told Huntington Township—s regional emergency management meeting that a memorandum of understanding to share a specialized emergency response truck is nearly finished; each municipality must still approve the final text and send it to legal counsel before outfitting and deployment can begin.
Representatives from Huntington Township and neighboring municipalities said at their regular regional emergency-management meeting that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize purchase and shared operation of a specialized emergency response truck is close to finalization, with outfitting to follow once each municipality approves the draft and an attorney reviews it.
The committee reported that seven municipalities have agreed in principle to join the pooled vehicle purchase. Participants said the MOU language still needs minor edits, after which each township will take the draft to its governing body for a formal vote and send the approved language to municipal counsel for final review.
Committee members described the next steps as: finalize the MOU text, obtain each municipality—s formal approval, have the attorneys review the final draft, then proceed to outfit the truck. Officials said some municipalities have already pledged funds; the group plans an inventory of currently available equipment and to supplement federal-surplus items and other used equipment where appropriate.
Jed, identified in the meeting as the group—s director, told members he and other organizers expect a final meeting with participating municipal boards in the second week following the meeting to clear the remaining issues. Jen, who is coordinating the draft with Jed, told the board she and another member will sit together to complete the language and circulate it to the municipalities for review.
Participants discussed sources for used equipment to outfit the vehicle, including federal surplus and items donated or removed from other municipal trucks. Members said federal-surplus equipment has been a major source of low-cost items for the outfitting list; the group plans to inventory the truck—s current contents at the meeting facility—s parking area and then decide what additional purchases or transfers are required.
Officials emphasized that the regional group functions as a forum that develops recommendations for each municipality rather than having unilateral authority to bind member townships. Multiple speakers clarified that any final obligation to spend money or accept equipment must be approved by each township or borough board individually before the pooled purchase or adoption of a formal agreement can proceed.
The meeting also included operational and training items related to the truck and to regional preparedness: an upcoming hazmat operational review scheduled for 9 a.m. at Fontainebleau (near Ski Liberty), a Homeland Security conference with a registration deadline in mid-March, and local offerings including an active-shooter seminar hosted by Gettysburg Fire Company in April. Members encouraged participation in those courses and noted grant or surplus procurement opportunities could lower overall costs for equipment.
Other routine business included inventory and minor logistics items (safety-vest sizes and replacements), scheduling the next meeting for July 2, and noting that representatives will bring the MOU draft back to their municipal boards for formal consideration.
