Red Ribbon Week and emergency operations plans resolutions approved

Madolin Edwards, The Daily American
·2 min read
The Somerset County Office Building houses the commissioners.

Red Ribbon Week activities and the Somerset County Emergency Operations Plan resolutions were the approved at the Somerset County Commissioners meeting Tuesday.

Red Ribbon Week activities are planned for Oct. 23 to 31. Rebecca Mull, director of the Somerset County Drug-Free Communities at UPMC, said the Red Ribbon Rally is set for 9 a.m. Oct. 21, at the Somerset County Courthouse. She added there are more activities planned this year to observe Red Ribbon Week. A Red Ribbon 5K is Oct. 22, at the Somerset high school track. Somerset Inc. and Somerset businesses will be getting involved this week as they feature something red, for example red cupcakes or juice, she said.

More:Events scheduled for Red Ribbon Week in Somerset County

"The county is always happy to host the rally at the courthouse," said Commissioner Gerald Walker.

"It's great having the community involved and having the merchants getting involved," said Commissioner Colleen Dawson.

Joel Landis, director of the Somerset County Department of Emergency Services, presented the County Emergency Operations Plan for the commissioners to approve its resolution. He said a group of emergency management volunteers worked for eight months on the plans that pertain specifically to Somerset. And the county's Emergency Management Agency is already looking at what might be needed for the potential impact of Hurricane Ian on the area next week, he said.

More:SADD observes Red Ribbon Week

"We should have a better sense over the weekend as far as the track," Landis said in an email after the meeting. "Right now reviewing plans and keeping an eye on the track for potential impact."

The commissioners approved a contract for $18,000 with Secure Technology Value Solutions, State College, for maintenance on the Somerset County Jail's body scanner. The contract is good for 2022-2025.

More:Report to help Somerset County first responders gear up for hazmat emergencies

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Commissioners approve Red Ribbon, emergency operations plans