MOUNT JEWETT — Mount Jewett Mayor Annie Jo Wolfe wants to make sure the borough is still sufficiently prepared for emergencies, she said in a statement she released Thursday.

In the release, she mentioned local firefighters, EMS and the American Red Cross.

“Mount Jewett Borough’s volunteer base for fire department and ambulance services is active but smaller,” Wolfe stated. “We need volunteers now more than ever to support these crucial community safeguards.”

She asked that state lawmakers introduce legislation to either temporarily reduce fees for EMS training or to make more money available to volunteer EMS agencies for training costs.

“Perhaps by addressing this barrier more volunteers can be recruited,” she said.

Wolfe encouraged community members to prepare now for the COVID-19 crisis so that it’s easier on emergency personnel later.

“Resources can be found on Ready.gov to help them create a three-day emergency supply kit,” she noted. “Having these materials at the ready will greatly reduce stress on our EMS volunteers should our area experience a shelter in place mandate.”

According to Wolfe, “The American Red Cross is also experiencing a severe blood shortage due to the COVID-19 outbreak and healthy donors are urgently needed. Please consider this as another way you can help your community.”

She said there will be blood drives on March 26 at the Smethport Fire Hall and April 6 at the First United Methodist Church in Kane.

Wolfe finished with this message: “Be hopeful and be prepared!”