To protect citizens, infrastructure, businesses and property, governors must assume critical responsibilities. In the event of a catastrophic emergency, the Governor, who is also the chief executive, is responsible for the appropriate response to any type of emergency such as man-made, natural or technological1. Implementing an effective emergency response requires the Governor to have good communication and a good relationship with respective government agencies, the community, the private sector and institutions2. Therefore, since the Governor should be accountable to the citizens who voted for him, he should be responsible for keeping stakeholders involved in the public health and emergency response. According to the 35 Pa. Emergency Management Services Code CSA § 7101-7707, the Governor is responsible for declaring a disaster emergency. In the case of Pittsburgh, although the mayor can request an emergency declaration, only the governor can declare one once local resources are exhausted. If the Governor understands that a disaster has occurred or that a disaster is about to occur, he or she may issue a Disaster Emergency Declaration for a period of 90 days. After these 90 days, the Declaration can be reactivated if still necessary3; although the general assembly by concurrent resolution may end the state of disaster emergency at any time. Once the Governor issues a Disaster Emergency Declaration, the Commonwealth's State Emergency Operations Plan (SEOP) is activated. Some of the SEOP's functions are the deployment of Commonwealth personnel and services, the implementation of emergency funding measures, and the distribution of supplies, equipment, materials and other resources. If there are……half sheet……h the consequences of any type of accident; command and deploy the National Guard; coordinate assistance from other states through mutual aid and interstate assistance agreements, such as the Emergency Management Assistance Agreement; request appropriate federal assistance when State capacities fall short or have been exceeded, and coordinate with affected tribal governments within the State and initiate requests for a Stafford Act presidential declaration of an emergency or major disaster on behalf of an affected tribe, when appropriate3. Works CitedURL1. http://www.pfesi.org/publication_files/pennsylvania-laws-relating-to-emergency-services.pdf2. http://www.nga.org/files/live/sites/NGA/files/pdf/1011GOVGUIDEHS.PDF3. http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/ps/emergencymgt/assets/07_Emergency_Operations_Plan.pdf