Emergency Management Agency

Susquehanna Township consists of seventeen and one-half square miles of residential, commercial, and industrial property. We are located just outside the city limits of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in Dauphin County. Two of Pennsylvania's major highways pass through Susquehanna Township. Interstate 81 is one of the busiest North to South routes through Pennsylvania. Also, US Route 22-322 is a major East to West highway through Pennsylvania. The potential of hazardous material accidents exists on these traffic arteries as both also provide connections to Interstates 83 and 76.

A mainline of Norfolk Southern railway service also runs through Susquehanna Township and provides for both passenger and freight transport railway service. The transportation of hazardous materials by rail creates potential hazards to life and property.

Within any year, several hundred thousand commercial aircraft fly over the Central Pennsylvania area. Any accident involving an aircraft could result in large numbers of casualties and significant property damage.

The Susquehanna River borders the entire western boundary of Susquehanna Township. The river presents serious flooding potential, especially in the spring as snow melts in the mountains, forcing the river to rise, often in combination with heavy spring rains or storms (as in 1996). History indicates past hurricanes have been disastrous, as evidenced by Agnes (1972) and Eloise (1975).

The Township is located outside the plume exposure pathway Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) of the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station (TMI), but is sufficiently close to this EPZ to feel the effects of specific incidents at the Generating Station.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) of the Susquehanna Township Emergency Management Agency (STEMA) is located at 1900 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110. This center acts as a communication and command hub between all township agencies/authorities, public safety departments and the Dauphin County EMA during major events in the township. These events may include but are not limited to large snowstorms, large gas spills, or specific events at TMI. Our goal is to minimize damage to life and property. Mostly preplanning and mitigation achieve this goal.

You can reach STEMA by phone at (717) 540-4296 with any questions or comments.