4 minute read
South Fayette names emergency management coordinator
South Fayette names emergency management coordinator
Brandon Radicic lends 18 years of safety experience to volunteer post
By Andrea Iglar
When a flash flood hit on April 11, Brandon Radicic was 24 hours away from becoming the officially recognized emergency management coordinator for South Fayette.
Township commissioners had nominated him to the volunteer position in March, but the Pennsylvania governor's appointment letter wouldn't arrive until April 12.
Radicic sprang into action anyway.
While at home in the Willowbrook neighborhood, he learned that creeks were rising quickly and first responders were gathering at the South Fayette Volunteer Fire Department.
Radicic jumped in the car and headed out to help, but fallen trees, floodwaters and other obstacles blocked all but one path to the Cuddy neighborhood. Finally, he arrived and joined firefighters, police officers, public works staff and other emergency personnel to respond to the disaster.
“It was a very difficult situation for the residents involved, but good for me to be able to dive in and see how we’re set up currently with emergency response and preparedness,” Radicic said.
Pennsylvania requires all municipalities to appoint an emergency management coordinator, or EMC, to coordinate disaster response and to oversee planning, training and preparation for emergencies.
The EMC must earn relevant certifications and serve as the main contact for county, state and federal emergency officials.
South Fayette Township advertised for the unpaid position this year and selected Radicic to replace Dan Dernosek, who had resigned from the post. Allegheny County Emergency Services, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and, ultimately, Gov. Josh Shapiro affirmed the appointment.
Radicic said his priority is to update the township’s 2017 emergency operations plan and lead training exercises with police, fire, ambulance and township personnel.
Another aim is to educate the community.
“That’s going to be a primary focus as well, to make sure the residents and the business owners within the township know what the methods of communication are, how they can prepare for emergencies and disasters, and how they can respond and recover,” Radicic said.
Radicic (ra-DEE-see) lives in South Fayette with his spouse, Lisa, and children, Weston, 10, and Kaia, 6.
Born in Fayette County, he lived and worked in Denver, Colorado, before moving to the township just prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
He holds a master’s degree in safety management and works as director of environmental health and safety for Comcast Keystone Region, which serves four states. His job is to direct activities that help protect employees, customers, guests, the public and the environment from hazards and risks.
During his 18-year career in health and safety, he has responded to floods, tornadoes, winter weather emergencies and other disasters, notably the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment and the Paradise, California, wildfire.
“I saw the volunteer position pop up for South Fayette, and I’d been looking for a way to give back to the community in a meaningful way,” Radicic said. “This one felt like a good fit. It matched my knowledge and expertise.”
Radicic is an avid weather watcher and enjoys fly-fishing, camping, and attending his children’s sports and dance events.
“I look forward to helping out the township the best way I can,” he said. “I’m just really passionate about helping people."
Emergency Management: southfayettepa.com/emc.
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