The order formalizes and strengthens the Commonwealth’s whole-of-government approach to emergency readiness, updating state plans and policies so agencies, partners, and communities have the information, training, and support they need to ensure the safety of Pennsylvanians and resilience of the Commonwealth.
Commonwealth Surge Workforce
Specifically, the order directs the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to work with state agencies to develop plans for a Commonwealth Surge Workforce that can mobilize the appropriate resources quickly across multiple agencies in response to future disasters and other emergencies.
The order also directs PEMA to prepare an Emergency Readiness Action Plan as the federal government reduces support for states; directs the Office of Administration, Department of General Services and other agencies to streamline emergency management policies; and creates an Interagency Advisory Group on Emergency Management Readiness.
“When disaster strikes, Pennsylvanians look to their state and local leaders to deliver the support – and resources – they need to stay safe, recover, and rebuild. While the federal government is erecting barriers and changing the federal government’s role in responding to emergencies, this Executive Order will ensure Pennsylvania remains prepared for any emergency,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “I am directing our state agencies to create a Commonwealth Surge Workforce that will be available to respond in a moment’s notice – and my Administration is developing detailed plans, policies, procedures, and trainings to adapt to the reality of the federal government’s dwindling support for Pennsylvania.”
The Shapiro Administration has worked hard to ensure Pennsylvania has the response and recovery funding and programs necessary to support residents and communities before, during and after disasters.
Under Governor Shapiro, the Administration has doubled the amount of funding available to state agencies to respond to disasters, created the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Assistance Program which has awarded more than $550,000 to Pennsylvanians seeking support – and just last month, the Governor took legal action to challenge the Trump Administration’s decision to hold critical homeland security funding hostage in an attempt to exert undue influence over Pennsylvania’s elections.
However, the proposed changes in federal policy will transfer more financial and operational responsibility for emergency management to state and local governments as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security walks back on its commitment to supporting Pennsylvanians in times of crisis.
The Executive Order will help ensure Pennsylvania can efficiently use existing resources when future disasters and other emergencies occur despite the federal government’s retreat from its historic responsibilities.
“Emergency management continues to evolve every year and plays an ever-expanding critical role in public safety,” said Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield. “This Executive Order will ensure Pennsylvania remains a leader in the field to ensure all Pennsylvanians and communities have the support needed before, during and after disasters in light of the ongoing changes to disaster response and recovery at the federal level. This Executive Order is about making sure the state is ready for whatever comes next, and that Pennsylvanians remain safe, supported, and informed during emergencies.”
Executive Order 2026-04 includes the following directives:
-- Creating the Commonwealth Surge Workforce, a cohort of employees from agencies across the Commonwealth who can be temporarily reassigned to support PEMA’s disaster recovery efforts on an as-needed basis. PEMA and other state agencies will identify opportunities and develop the associated plans, policies, procedures, and training needed to build a greater surge workforce in anticipation of assuming more responsibility for emergency management functions for future disasters;
-- PEMA, working with all state agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction, will identify changes needed to existing state laws and policies, develop new plans as needed, update policies or procedures as required, and identify efficiencies that can be created to ensure Pennsylvania is well positioned to assume greater responsibility for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery functions in the future;
-- State agencies – including PEMA and DGS – will streamline emergency management policies and procedures while ensuring every dollar continues to be used as efficiently as possible in anticipation of reduced federal support; and
-- Establishing the Emergency Readiness Advisory Group, comprised of leaders from key state agencies and led by Director Padfield, to review all recommendations contained in the recently released FEMA Review Council report, determine strategies to ensure Pennsylvania has the needed resources and capabilities to respond to future disasters, and provide recommendations to the Governor.
These efforts will maintain the Commonwealth’s position as a national leader in the rapidly developing emergency management landscape and allow Commonwealth agencies to seamlessly respond to changes that are being proposed by the federal government.
As the federal government actively shifts more responsibility for disaster response and recovery to states, Commonwealth agencies will need to continue to work in a collaborative and efficient manner to update training standards and requirements; identify staff, equipment, and capabilities that can be rapidly deployed when emergencies overwhelm normal operations; and provide local government, lawmakers and residents with the training and information they need to be safe before, during, and after an incident.
This Executive Order will help improve statewide readiness without bureaucratic delays to ensure the state can respond more quickly, communicate better, and keep residents protected when disasters happen.
Click Here for the Governor's announcement.
NewsClip:
-- WNEP: Sunbury Practices Putting Flood Barriers In Place With Annual Flood Defense Exercise
[Posted: August 5, 2026] PA Environment Digest
