five sub-menus with information for the public : 911 Communications , Emergency Management , Emergency Medical Services , Fire Academy and Fire Marshal . Under the 911 Communications menu , users can call or text 911 , sign up for the special needs registry , and submit a tip to alert county officials of an emergency , environmental issue , arson / fire safety problem , or other situation . Users can also subscribe to emergency alerts , set up an “ I ’ m OK ” emergency notifier , and check off items in their emergency kit . Information on traffic , power outages , local weather , preparedness guidance , and emergency shelter locations can be found under Emergency Management , while the Emergency Medical Services menu includes answers to frequently asked questions and a complete list of EMS agencies .
The ACES mobile app can aid in preparation before and in the event of an emergency . If you experience an emergency , please always dial 911 if possible , as it is still the best way to get assistance .
ALLEGHENY COUNTY RECEIVES $ 175,000 PHARE GRANT FOR ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAM
Allegheny County Economic Development has received a $ 175,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement fund . The fund is administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency The grant will allow ACED to provide accessibility modifications to residents of the county who have permanent physical disabilities with low to moderate incomes . Working with its partner , ACTION-Housing , Inc ., ACED expects to be able to provide modifications for 19 households .
The United Way of Allegheny County recently commissioned a study by ACTION- Housing , Inc . and Regional Housing Legal Services that helped define this gap . According to data from U . S . Housing and Urban Development and PHFA , there are twice as many Allegheny County residents with a disability than housing units to serve them . Every accessible modification will preserve a unit of affordable housing , allow the resident of that unit to stay in a housing
situation that is safe and comfortable , and prevent any further stress on an already inadequate supply of affordable housing .
“ We are thankful to PHFA for providing the $ 175,000 in PHARE funds that will enable us to work with our partner ACTION-Housing , Inc .,” said ACED Director Bob Hurley . “ Together , we can help make homes for Allegheny County residents with disabilities safe and sound .”
Applicants for the program will need to have a clinically or medically documented disability , and all modifications will either be directly related to a ) that disability , or b ) a health and safety barrier that would inhibit a medically necessary modification . ACTION- Housing will work with the participants to create a scope of work that will ensure the project is completed consistent with their physical needs . The organization will also provide initial and final inspections , and oversee construction .
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency made its announcement on Oct . 13 , approving $ 6.2 million for 40 housing projects to improve the availability and affordability of housing in 29 counties . This is the fifth year for the PHARE program which has invested more than $ 39 million into Pennsylvania communities , in addition to nearly $ 255 million of other leveraged funding .
For more information , or to apply for the program , contact Andrew Shull at 412.281.2102 .
SCOTT TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY
Weekly Programs Scottie ’ s Toddler Storytime Mondays , 10:15 a . m . Children ages 2-3½ with a caregiver . Stories , movement , rhymes and song . No registration required . Scottie ’ s Preschool Storytimes Tuesdays , 10 a . m ., Wednesdays , 1 p . m . Children ages 3-6 with a caregiver . Stories , movement , songs and a craft . No registration required . Scrabble & Games Club for Adults Tuesdays , 2 p . m . All levels of Scrabble players are welcome to join in this weekly group . Programs held at the library , 301 Lindsay
Road , Scott Twp ., PA 15106 . For more information , call 412.429.5380 or go to scottlibrary . org .
RESIDENTS URGED TO CHANGE BATTERIES IN DETECTORS
Allegheny County Emergency Services Chief Matt Brown reminded residents to change the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors . Battery checks on these devices are recommended around Daylight Saving Time changes to promote an easy-to-remember time of year to think about safety .
“ Daylight Saving Time provides a perfect opportunity to increase awareness in the community about the life-saving benefits of smoke alarms ,” said Brown . “ Smoke alarms can ’ t do their jobs , however , if the batteries have died , so checking the batteries is just as important . Age matters as well when it comes to your smoke alarms , and the alarms should be replaced every 10 years , so check the manufacture date on yours today .”
If you forgot to check your devices when you turned your clocks back , please do so now .
Smoke alarms detect and alert people to fire in its early stages , giving them the time needed to escape safely . When working properly , smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death . More than one-third ( 38 %) of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present . The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms , while three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms . Newer models of smoke alarms have long-lasting batteries that do not need to be replaced , but thousands of homeowners still have models that use standard alkaline batteries that must be replaced regularly . No matter what type of smoke alarms are used in a home , they should be tested monthly .
Most home fire deaths happen when people are asleep , between 11 p . m . and 7 a . m . That ’ s why the U . S . Fire Administration recommends the installation of smoke alarms in every bedroom , outside each separate sleeping area , and on every level of the home including the basement .
Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America , according to the Journal of the American Medical Association . Carbon monoxide can accumulate to hazardous levels in a short period of time , which is why it ’ s critical that there are working carbon monoxide detectors in your home . Just like with smoke alarms , some models use batteries and must be checked and replaced regularly . n
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