HARRISBURG — The proposed investment in the governor’s budget proposal to cover the cost of readiness for emergencies is “adequate,” the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency told lawmakers Tuesday.
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed $51.5 billion budget includes an ask of $32.6 million in state funding to operate the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. The total spend would be $1.1 billion including $563.8 million in federal funding. It’s a 35.5% decrease from the current year, largely because of the end of pandemic-era funding supplements.
During a state Senate budget hearing, Sen. Katie Muth, D-Berks/Chester/Montgomery, asked Padfield about the cost of readiness, that is, whether PEMA has enough funding proposed to respond to emergencies. She noted potential dangers with respect to high-risk industrial manufacturing and oil and gas infrastructure.
“We believe it is adequate at this point in time,” Padfield said, adding that to truly know is to “exercise” department capabilities through preparedness. He said a major provider toward readiness is a grant program through the federal Department of Homeland Security, of which he estimated 80% of the funding passes through the state and is provided to regional and local operations.
Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, R-Berks/Montgomery, asked about dedicated funding for training. Padfield explained while it might not stand out within budget figures, it’s “buried” in other line items. He spoke to emergency management training required by law which he said is provided to county and municipal emergency management coordinators. Much of that is federally funded, he said.
Asked about disaster assistance, Padfield spoke of a state-specific Disaster Recovery Assistance Program proposed for $5 million in funding in 2025-26. He described it as a way to prevent people “from falling through the cracks” when they’re deemed ineligible for federal assistance, or if a federal disaster emergency isn’t declared.
More than 50 families have been aided at a combined $270,000 with an average payout of $5,200, Padfield said.
“How would we respond without also that federal assistance?” Sen. Judith Schwank, D-Berks, asked about potential funding and program cuts at the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“I’m not even just talking about the money, but the manpower and staffing to be able to deal with this,” she said.
Padfield said it’s front of mind. Without federal assistance, the ability to “surge” manpower and resources is of great concern. He talked about recent hurricanes that impacted 30 or more counties and how some disasters remain active long after the rain stopped.
The state assistance will help but there would be “nothing to offer for impacts to public infrastructure” without federal assistance, he said.
The Shapiro administration proposes a shift in the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant program. A $30 million spend is proposed but specifically for grants for fire companies and not EMS agencies.
Sen. Wayne Langerholc, R-Cambria/Centre/Clearfield, was among the lawmakers who asked about the change, casting concern about cutting out EMS from the grants. Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Adams/Franklin, echoed those concerns himself, seemingly expressing frustration that EMS advocates will be making their own requests for additional funding in response.
Thomas Cook, state fire commissioner, replied that the program is “moving forward” from a program with guaranteed shares to a competitive program. Ahead of that shift, he said priority was placed in the upcoming year to bolster fire services across Pennsylvania.
“I’ve seen this budget just grow and balloon to crazy levels,” Langerholc said. “The recent proposal by the governor to expand this budget is just unsustainable. We need to ensure that those core services are getting the appropriate spending rather than throwing money at other problems with other departments across the board.”
Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver, R-Northumberland/Montour/Columbia/Snyder/Luzerne, asked about support for studies into consolidating 911 services. PEMA Executive Deputy Director Jeffrey Boyle noted that one study is underway in her district between Northumberland County and Columbia-Montour counties. He said grant funding is also pending for a study request between Northumberland and Schuylkill counties. The concurrent studies are permitted and cost about $55,000 each, he said.
Culver also asked about revenue from the 911 surcharge on wireless customers that was raised in 2024 from $1.65 to $1.95. Boyle said collections are coming in at $96 million a quarter, which is above projections. The fee must be reauthorized by February 2026, Culver said.
Boyle didn’t say whether the current fee is enough moving forward. As it stands, it covers about 80% of 911 system costs in the commonwealth. Counties account for the other 20%, or about $100 million, he said. Those costs will increase annually by about 4.6%, he said. Consolidations will help with savings, particularly with equipment costs, but more personnel is still needed to handle rising call volume, Boyle said.