Eastern MontCo Emergency Management Group (EMCEMG)

Over the years the Eastern Montgomery County Regional Emergency Management Group has been actively serving it’s members and community.
Below is a partial list of our accomplishments since our founding.

• Present World-Class two-day regional training symposiums Emergency Disaster Incident Training Symposium (EDITS)
  • EDITS 2024
  • EDITS 2022
  • EDITS 2019
  • EDITS 2017
  • EDITS 2015
  • EDITS 2012
  • EDITS 2010
  • EDITS 2007
  • EDITS 2005
  • EDITS 2003
  • EDITS 2001
• Conduct Regional Full-Scale Exercises'
  • 2009 – Multiple Sites Storm Damage
  • 2006 – Springfield High School
  • 2003 – Willow Grove Park Regional Mall
• Present Command Lecture Series
  • 2010 – Chief Rick Lasky
  • 2006 – Gordon Graham
• Purchase Equipment for Shared Use
  • 2010 – Regional Portable Solar Message Boards
• Regional Planning for Eastern Montgomery County:
  • Y2K
  • Flooding / Weather Events
  • Philadelphia Evacuation
  • Mass Casualty Incidents
  • Safe School Programs
  • Anthrax / Terrorism Response
• Liaison with Government Officials
  • Homeland Security
  • FBI
  • Military
• Executed Model Mutual Aid Agreements
• Regional Disaster Response Equipment Display
• Hospital Zone Planning and Exercises
• Recommended Area Communication Channels
• Provide Course Coaching Classes
• Host Chamber of Commerce Business Card Exchange
• Provide Speakers for Civic and Neighborhood Groups
• Test and Research New Products
• Provide Storm Liaison with our PECO partner
• Regional Identification Cards
• Scene Identification bracelets
• Assist County DPS in Equipment Deployment
• Intelligence and Information Clearinghouse
• Regional Health Issues/Pandemic Flu Planning
• Legislative Updates and Briefings on Preparedness
• Discuss Major Area Incidents

Grants

• Representative Schwartz presents our Group with a $164,500 check in 2008
• PA Representative Rick Taylor presents our Group with a $5,000 check in 2007

Awards

• Recipient of 2002 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Local Government
  • Category: Responding To Adversity
  • Nominee: Eastern Montgomery County Regional Emergency Management Group

2002 Award Essay:

The Eastern Montgomery County Regional Emergency Management Group is an ad hoc group of Emergency Management Coordinators, Police and Fire Chiefs and other interested individuals that has banded together to respond to adversity since its inception approximately ten years ago. Representing over 12 contiguous municipal jurisdictions with a combined population of over 250,000 residents, this group has spearheaded the cooperation necessary to achieve efficient use of resources during an emergency.

Within the last five years, the group has coordinated response to three Presidential declared disasters, several military plane crashes, tornadoes and severe storm situations.

Past examples of this outstanding partnership include: coordination for planned major events, such as Y2K, Republican National Convention, a Blue Angels Air Show; response and recovery coordination from Tropical Storm Allison; and the current terrorism alert and Anthrax crisis.

Expanding on just one of these incidents, Tropical Storm Allison, will provide some insight to the group’s ability to work together in adversity.

On June 16 and 17, 2001, the remnants of Tropical Storm Allison dropped over 10 inches of rain over Eastern Montgomery County within a 12-hour period. For this area, just 5 inches of rain can cause severe flash flooding, transportation gridlock, and major property damage. In the end, over 10 municipalities experienced extensive flooding and damage to over 1,400 homes. Although over 200 vehicle water rescues were made, unfortunately 7 persons died in an apartment building explosion and fire when rescuers could not reach them because of 12 feet of water. All members of the regional group went into action to help other communities as soon as their communities were stabilized, and sought to coordinate relief and recovery operations during the weeks that followed. Special meetings were held to address unmet needs and determine what assistance could be provided. Even months after the disaster, the group worked together on mitigation issues, public education programs, and water rescue training programs for first responders and public works employees.

As true regional partners in planning, response and recovery, this group of local government officials has reached out to local hospitals, school districts, volunteer agencies and others to provide a chord of seamless coordination among their contiguous communities.

The group has also coordinated a world-class training program known as EDITS – 2001 (Emergency Disaster Incident Training Symposium) attended by Emergency Managers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

The group also maintains and provides a Mobile Command Center Bus known as C-300, which has given logistical support to multiple volunteer fire companies, regional hazardous material teams, and numerous municipalities during major populated events.

Honoring Commitment to the Emergency Services Community. 

The Golden Eagle award is presented to a public servant in Eastern Montgomery County who demonstrates a strong commitment to public safety, health, and welfare. This person is chosen based on their exemplary service, significant contributions, or other long-term involvements that benefit the community.

No one embodied the spirit of the Golden Eagle more than our friend Ed Momorella, who passed away on April 3, 2012. In Ed’s memory, this award was renamed The Ed Momorella Golden Eagle award. Ed’s legacy lives on in every Golden Eagle Award recipient.

Past Award Recipients

• 2003 | Congressman Curt Weldon
• 2005 | Ed Momorella
• 2007 | Ruth Damsker, Michael Marino, James Matthews
  Montgomery County Commissioners
• 2010 | Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz
• 2012 | Tom Sullivan
• 2015 | Paul Leonard
• 2017 | Janice Lufkin & Ann Egner, American Red Cross
• 2019 | Jim Lee
• 2022 | Alex Levy
• 2024 | Ken Hellendall

Click here to register for EDITS 2026.
Registration closes on Monday, August 31st.

Important Registration Information (Please Read Carefully)

• All registration and payment must be completed through OpenGov, Upper Dublin Township’s official registration and payment platform.
• Registration is NOT confirmed until payment has been successfully processed.
  • Reserving a spot without payment does not guarantee attendance.
• Payment may be made by credit card, e-check, or mailed check (invoices will be issued through OpenGov for check payments).
• A confirmation email will be sent once registration is complete and payment has been received.

Registration Steps

1. Click here: Upper Dublin Township’s OpenGov Portal
2. Either log into an existing OpenGov account, or create a free account.
3. Once logged in, click on the EDITS Registration tile.
4. Click Select next to “EDITS 2026 Registration”. Click Apply Online.
5. Complete the registration form.
   • You may register multiple people from your agency.
6. Submit payment by credit card, e-check, or check.
7. A confirmation email will be sent once registration is complete.

What You’ll Need to Register

• Organization/agency name
• Number of attendees
• Registrant contact information & any dietary restrictions
• Payment method (credit card or check)