Acknowledging and commending the City's Managing Director's Office of Emergency Management and all the City departments for their exemplary performance in response to Hurricane Irene, in the aftermath of an earthquake and followed by a tropical storm.

WHEREAS, September has been designated as National Preparedness Month which affords various response agencies the opportunity to provide emergency preparedness information and recruit volunteers; and

WHEREAS, Even before this event, the City and region experienced an earthquake, hurricane and tropical storm within a week period; and

WHEREAS, The Office of Emergency Management and other City departments, had dedicated themselves to help prepare the citizens of Philadelphia for the possible dangers associated with Hurricane Irene; and

WHEREAS, The Office of Emergency Management and the Red Cross opened shelter operations in various locations, including Bartram High School, Lincoln High School, and Roxborough High School, for those in need of evacuation; and

WHEREAS, The issuance of the State of Emergency allowed the Office of Emergency Management and City essential personnel the ability maintain safety and quickly restore City services; and

WHEREAS, The preparations taken by all of the City departments were so successful, that there were no reports of death or injury have throughout the entire City of Philadelphia; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby acknowledges and commends the City's Managing Director's Office of Emergency Management and all the City departments for their exemplary performance in response to Hurricane Irene, in the aftermath of an earthquake and followed by a tropical storm.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy be presented to the City's Managing Director's Office of Emergency Management as evidence of the gratitude and pride of this legislative body.

End