FORWARD TWP — During a meeting on Thursday, Aug. 14, township supervisors signed off on a new emergency operations plan, outlining how the community would respond to crises ranging from severe weather to public safety threats.

The plan, required for every municipality under the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code, took about 10 months to fully develop, according to Chairwoman Susan Oliver-Stough.

A typical plan includes various operational strategies and defining emergency support functions, such as communications personnel, public works and firefighting.

It was put together in consultation with Butler County Emergency Services, which provided administrative assistance and advice on other minor details.

In related moves, supervisors accepted the resignation of resident Robert Sepcic as the township’s emergency management coordinator and appointed resident Amy Maree.

“We’re just really happy we have a wonderful resource in Amy because she already works as part of the county’s emergency management team,” Oliver-Stough said, noting that Maree helped put together a comprehensive draft.

Additionally, township manager Tom Hartwig was appointed as deputy emergency management coordinator to serve under Maree.

Oliver-Stough also confirmed the plan is a living document and any significant changes moving forward would need to be voted on by the board.

However, she hopes the plan serves as only a precautionary measure.

“We hope we never have to use it,” she said, “but it’s always important to plan and be prepared.”