While many community organizations have become involved in the Centre County Terrorism Task Force's efforts to prepare the area in case of an attack, some individuals are angered at what they deem as a lack of inclusion of the Alpha Fire Company.

State College Borough Council member Janet Knauer said the mere 20 members representing the task force is inadequate.

"I don't know who the members are, but I do know that the committee should include groups like police and emergency response teams," Knauer said.

Some said that the Alpha Fire Company, which has mutual aid and automatic aid agreements with several surrounding communities, should have a representative on the task force committee.

"The public service meeting I attended made me aware to the fact that the Alpha Fire Department and the Alpha Ambulance Company were not included in the committee. If they feel they can educate the public, then more power to them," Knauer said.

Alpha Fire Company Chief Scott Fry agreed with Knauer.

"We are very well trained and the busiest station in this area. It would be a good idea to have Alpha on the task force," Fry said.

There is some miscommunication, however, about whether Alpha Fire Company and Alpha Ambulance Company have been contacted about being included in the task force.

"(The Commissioners) have not been able to release information on exactly who is representing their agencies on the task force, but that is something that needs to be addressed," said Jon Eich, Centre County director of administrative services.

Fry said the company is ready and willing to participate.

"We would like to be part of it, but no one has approached us in regards to having a member on the committee," Fry said.

Scott Conklin, Centre County Commissioner, said the company should be involved.

"(Firefighters) are all in there and they are not just representing their organizations, but countywide as a group they are representing fire companies and emergency medical responders," Conklin said.

Eich confirmed that there are representatives from fire agencies in the region on the task force.

"We did not approach the Alpha Fire Company, but we did request a representative from the fire agencies, which is a council that represents all fire companies in the region," said Eich.

Conklin said the company has recommended someone to participate on the task force.

"People from fire companies in general from Centre County are allowed to choose their own representative and they recommended someone from Alpha Fire Department and the Alpha Ambulance recommended someone," Conklin said.

Firefighters said they are eager to fulfill any task put in place by the task force.

"I just hope they call us when they need us," said Randy Clouser, rescue captain for the company.