ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Warren County Commissioners, in conjunction with the WCCBI, have initiated a mask drive where people can create their own homemade masks and donate them to be used by businesses and nonprofit organizations that are in dire need of equipment and supplies. Please view our page and download the flyer for more information. Businesses must register to be a part of the program. Volunteers are encouraged to register to coordinate donations. People may begin donating Monday, May 11th.

Commissioners Meeting

The Commissioner’s Session  scheduled for May 27, 2020 at 5:30 pm will held as a virtual meeting due to Covid-19.

Please use the log in information below:

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://www.gotomeet.me/warrencopa

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States (Toll Free): 1 877 568 4106
United States: +1 (571) 317-3129

Access Code: 271-111-893

New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/271111893

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Pamela Matve, Chief Clerk at

814-728-3402

Burn Ban Ended

The Warren County Commissioners are pleased to announce that the County-wide burn ban will be allowed to expire at midnight on Thursday, April 30th.   The ban was enacted at the beginning of April out of concern for the health and response capability of our first responders due to the COVID-19 situation and the onset of spring wildfire season.  Although there is still a risk of wildfires until full green-up occurs, which will be in mid to late May, the threats of both wildfires and COVID-19 seem to have been averted.  The public is asked to still use care with any outdoor burning and remember these fire prevention tips:

• Stay with any fire and don’t leave it until it is completely out cold
• To keep fires where they belong, maintain 10’ around burn piles or burning barrels free from burnable materials
• Have a hose, or bucket of water, and a shovel nearby, in case its needed
• To better maintain control of a fire, keep debris piles small (less than 4’)
• Don’t burn on windy, dry days

The Commissioners would like to thank the volunteer fire departments and first responders who respond to wildfires each spring and work to keep our communities safe.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Warren County, Pennsylvania Emergency Disaster Declaration

Tuesday, March 17 | Warren, Pa.— The Commissioners of Warren County have declared a state of disaster emergency, invoking section 7501 of the emergency management services code as a part of our overall efforts to prevent the spread of Coronavirus COVID-19. The United States of America and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and over a dozen Pennsylvania counties, have already declared an emergency disaster in an effort to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, COVID-19. This declaration has been delayed in Warren County, as there have not been any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Warren County.

Nevertheless, the Commissioners want the constituents of Warren County to know that we are taking the threat of coronavirus seriously and have taken and are taking appropriate precautions. We are not aware of Warren County ever invoking a full state of emergency, but in this case it is appropriate. It is a cautious and deliberate move that the Emergency Management Agency advises us to do. We believe if we act now, it gives us more time, tools and personnel to reduce the impact of the virus and promote the health, safety and welfare of all residents of Warren County, which is a central purpose of our local government.

A state of emergency is not a state of panic. We are prepared. The County has developed plans, updated those plans, and we train for situations just like this. This declaration is largely being done for administrative reasons, to vest more authority in our Director of Public Safety to draw down state and federal resources and staff the Emergency Operations Center. It also allows us to acquire equipment and personnel quickly, without going through bidding processes, as it relates to COVID-19. This is a measured, proactive response, guided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control. We are coordinating with these agencies to engage the public.

The Director of Public Safety will be opening the Warren County Emergency Operations Center, which will be the single, county-wide resources to coordinate our response, having representatives from law enforcement, transportation, emergency medical services, the hospital, business & industry, and many more. Finally, the EOC will have a Public Information Officer as the single-point-of-contact for the incident.

Please monitor Warren County’s website for up-to-date information. Questions and concerns can be directed to the COVID-19 hotline at 814-563-3598. For more information about COVID-19 and how to personally combat the virus, please visit the CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Health websites.

We, the Commissioners of Warren County, want to take a moment to thank those on the front lines of this pandemic, and further ask that you lift up your local government leaders, emergency responders, medical staff and elderly in prayer.