Gretna Music and the Pennsylvania Chautauqua are spearheading the development of a safety network called the Gretna Arts Safety Plan (GASP). GASP will focus on making Mount Gretna a safer place for visitors and residents though disaster prevention and preparation as well as safety trainings.

The grant was awarded by the Performing Arts Readiness project and funded by the Andrew. W. Mellon Foundation. Through this grant, Mount Gretna organizations involved in arts and events, with assistance from the Mount Gretna Borough, Mount Gretna Fire Department, Lebanon Department of Emergency Services, and Western Lebanon County Regional Emergency Management Agency, are developing a comprehensive plan. Others organizations involved include Gretna Theatre, Mount Gretna School of Art, Mount Gretna Bible Festival, Mount Gretna Campmeeting Association, Mount Gretna Area Historical Society, and Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show.

Evacuation plans, communication alerts, weather disaster plans, first aid, fire extinguisher training, and COVID-19 safety compliance are among the areas that GASP is working on.

Additionally, GASP was granted an automated external defibrillator (AED) for use in the public venues located in Mount Gretna. The AED was granted by The Peyton Walker Foundation located in Camp Hill and will be installed in the Mount Gretna Visitor's Center. The Peyton Walker Foundation donates AEDs to nonprofit organizations in the central Pennsylvania area, with more than 150 AEDs donated in total. More information is available at http://www.peytonwalker.org.

The mission statement of GASP is "Through an earnest commitment to safety and preparedness, our organizations will work to create a secure and proactive environment for the residents and visitors of Mount Gretna by educating leaders on safety and implementing art preparedness plans."

For more information, readers may contact Mika Cook at mikaecook@gretnamusic.org or 717-361-1508.