2013 Silver Jackets Team of the Year: Pennsylvania Silver Jackets

Decided through peer voting by team members nationwide, the 2013 Team of the Year is the Pennsylvania Silver Jackets. 

Formed in the fall of 2010 during the process of updating the Commonwealth’s Hazard Mitigation Plan and formalized through development of a charter in summer 2011, the team’s 2012 priorities were to collaborate on updating the state hazard mitigation plan and focus on flood risk management outreach and education.

The team compiled online resources to answer common questions from the public before, during, and after flood events into a Flood Risk Management Resources website. They organized training workshops on nonstructural flood proofing techniques, assisting communities in understanding how to reduce risk through these techniques.

In addition to sharing information and leveraging resources during the historic fall 2011 flooding, the team brought together federal and state agencies in early 2012 to meet with communities to provide information on post-flood activities and funding opportunities.

The team also developed a Flood Inundation Mapping Tool for the City of Harrisburg and neighboring communities, which will provide timely information to stakeholders and assist in pre-flood decision-making to maximize public safety.

Their significant contributions reflect great credit upon themselves and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.