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Notices

Take Control in 1,2,3 and Be Informed about Spring Flooding

1. Know when flooding may occur. Sign up for alerts.

• Spring is a highly turbulent season that poses a multitude of weather and flooding threats to the Mid-Atlantic.
▪ Late-season winter storms and nor’easters can unexpectedly crush any signs of spring with dangerous winter conditions and coastal flooding.
▪ Major flooding along rivers, streams and creeks can also occur in the spring as a result of warmer temperatures and rainfall interacting with snowpack and river ice.
▪ Warm, humid weather also means an increased threat of tornadoes, severe thunderstorms with lightning, damaging winds, and large hail. In addition, heavy rainfall could cause flash flooding.
• Dangerous weather can happen anyplace and anytime. Dangerous weather includes hazardous conditions such as torrential rain, lightning, damaging straight-line winds, tornadoes, large hail, and flash flooding. No matter where you live, work, or travel you should take steps to prepare.
• Preparing includes making sure you have access to several ways to receive weather and emergency alerts. Download the FEMA app to receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide. Sign up for community alerts in your area.

2. Know what to do. Practice protective measures.

• Flash flooding can develop in just minutes. If a flash flood warning is issued, it means a flash flood is imminent or occurring and you should take action. If you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high ground.
• Turn Around Don’t Drown: Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters.
▪ Many flood deaths occur from cars being swept downstream. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks.
▪ Many of the flood-related drownings are preventable. Never drive around the barriers blocking a flooded road; the road may have collapsed under the flood water.
▪ People underestimate the force and power of water It is never safe to drive or walk into flood waters. A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.
• Evacuate immediately, if told to evacuate. Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.

3. Know you’re protected. Talk to your insurance agent.

• Purchase Flood Insurance: A flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is your best protection against flood-related loss.
▪ Floods are the most common and costly natural disasters in the United States. Just one inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 in damage.
▪ Most homeowners’ insurance does not cover flood damage.
▪ Flood insurance is a separate policy that can cover buildings, the contents in a building, or both, so it is important to protect your most important financial assets — your home, your business, your possessions.

Tuition Reimbursement Available for EMS Professionals

Acting Secretary of the Department of Health Dr. Debra Bogen announced the Shapiro Administration has launched a $1 million tuition assistance program to help recruit and retain Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals.

“Emergency medical services professionals are an essential part of the health care system,” said Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “Knowing that you will have well-trained and qualified individuals arriving to your door 24/7 in the event of an emergency is a safeguard that we want for all Pennsylvanians. The Shapiro-Davis administration is committed to helping people enter and remain in this vital profession, and this tuition assistance program supports these workforce efforts.”

Administered by the Department of Health, this program is funded by $1 million from the Fireworks Tax Act each year for the next three years. Pennsylvania residents who obtained a Pennsylvania state certification as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), or Paramedic after July 1, 2023, are eligible to have a portion of their tuition reimbursed.

In addition, Pennsylvania licensed EMS agencies are eligible to receive reimbursement of expenses related to recruitment and retention efforts, up to $1,250 per fiscal year.

This tuition reimbursement assistance builds on the Shapiro Administration’s support of Pennsylvania’s EMS industry after securing $20.7 million in the 2023-24 budget to increase mileage rates for ambulance services, ensuring that EMS workers and first responders are properly reimbursed for the critical care they provide. The investment in EMS protects critical access to health care in a state where EMS agencies respond to nearly 24 million 911 calls each year and 26% of the residents live in rural areas.

More information about how to obtain reimbursement is available at the Department of Health’s website here.

PECO Notice – Implementation of new billing & customer information system

PECO is currently converting to a new, advanced customer billing system called CC&B. The process to fully convert this system is taking longer than originally expected, and the company is continuing to work to complete this upgrade. As this work continues, access to customer data and online self-serve features are currently unavailable through our website and mobile app. During this time, customers will not be charged any late fees and will not be disconnected for non-payment.

We remain committed to supporting our customers as we convert to a new advanced customer billing system. Our customer service representatives are able to support customer payments over the phone and those looking to start, stop, or move service by calling 1-800-494-4000. We expect higher than normal wait times for customers who remain on hold. Please note that if call volumes become extreme, the company may take steps to suspend incoming calls for non-emergent requests. Our in-person PECO Customer Solution Center also will remain closed until this conversion is complete.

It should be noted that our ability to provide safe and reliable service has not been impacted by this conversion. Our customer service representatives continue to handle emergency calls associated with electric and natural gas issues at 1-800-841-4141. During the conversion, customers continue to have the ability to report electric or natural gas issues.

We appreciate the patience and understanding of our customers as we continue to convert this system. Our team is continuing to work around the clock, but we currently do not have an estimated time for when the full conversion will be completed. Information regarding system availability will be posted on our Interactive Voice Response system, on our website at peco.com, on our mobile app, and on social media. Please direct constituents to those resources for continued updates on system status.

Once fully implemented, we expect this new advanced billing system will improve customer experience and provide greater flexibility in meeting future customer needs. The new system will provide more efficient and timely handling of customer inquiries, expanded use of self-serve options, new 10-digit account numbers for all customers, and a new look to PECO bills. Customers have received pre-event direct communications regarding the system conversion, and a webpage (www.peco.com/NewBill) has been created to provide current information and details on impacts.

Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County

Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County is part of a global, non-profit housing organization that is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally through constructing, rehabilitating, and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.

Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County sells newly constructed or renovated homes to qualified families or individuals.

Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County partners with homeowners to complete much needed interior and exterior home repairs and modifications that increase the safety, accessibility and health of the home including exterior repairs, interior repairs, and energy efficient upgrades.

To learn more about their Home Ownership Program or their Home Repair Program, visit their website: www.habitatbucks.org.

Library Board Vacancy

There is a vacancy on the Lower Southampton Township Library Board.  The Library Board acts in an advisory capacity to the library and helps develop, monitor, and approve the library budget and policies.  The Library Board meets once per month.

If you are looking to get more involved in the community, please consider submitting a letter of interest and resume by Wednesday, February 7th to administration@lstwp.org.

Scammers Targeting PECO Customers – Message from PECO

Scammers are continuing to aggressively target utility company customers, including PECO, using sophisticated tactics to pocket quick cash. Recently, there has been a large increase in scammers use tactics such as “spoofing” to manipulate the Caller ID phone number displayed on your phone so that it appears to be a PECO phone number. These scammers are contacting PECO customers and falsely claiming their electric or natural gas service will be disconnected unless payment is made immediately.

The most important thing to remember is to never give out your account or billing information to an unverified person. If you ever receive a suspicious phone call, text message, email, or have an unscheduled visit from someone in-person claiming to be from PECO, do not share your information and call us directly at 800-494-4000.

To keep your money in your hands and your personal information safe, here are some reminders:

  • PECO will NEVER DEMAND IMMEDIATE PAYMENT, nor will we ever require one specific form of payment, such as a prepaid card, bitcoin, or third-party digital money transfers.
  • For approved payment methods and options, visit com/payment.
  • DO NOT PROVIDE YOUR ACCOUNT INFORMATION. A real PECO representative will have the account information they need when they call.
  • Keep your banking and financial information safe. You can update your banking information through your MyAccount or make a payment through an approved method at com/payment.
  • CHECK YOUR ACCOUNT STATUS, BALANCES, PAYMENTS, AND SUPPLIER INFORMATION YOURSELF on your printed bill or log on to your PECO MyAccount or download the PECO mobile app.

If you are ever suspicious of someone claiming to be from PECO, call us directly at 800-494-4000