County’s 9-1-1 Center moves to New emergency call infrastructure

Chester County Telecommunicator Mike Arganetto in the Chester County 9-1-1 Center. Chester County has transitioned to the new Next Generation 9-1-1 Statewide Emergency Services Internet Protocol Network, a faster and more efficient way for the 9-1-1 call center to receive emergency calls. The Chester County Department of Emergency Services (DES) transitioned today its Emergency Communications Center...

Messerschmidt named new county Emergency Services Director

Warren W. “Bill” Messerschmidt III Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell, and Michelle Kichline announced Wednesday the appointment of Warren W. “Bill” Messerschmidt III as the County’s new Director of the Department of Emergency Services (DES). Messerschmidt will take the lead at DES from Monday, February 13, following his most recent role as Assistant Director...

Chesco Commissioners celebrate 50th anniversary of 911 system

Chester County Commissioners Michelle Kichline, Terence Farrell and Kathi Cozzone with Chester County 9-1-1 Telecommunicator Lisa Gray. When one of your priorities is public safety, you recognize the importance of the nation’s 9-1-1 system – and celebrate the fact that it has been saving lives for half a century. Chester County Commissioners Michelle Kichline, Kathi Cozzone and Terence Farrell...

Op/Ed: Ambulance companies are sending 911 call for funding help

By A.J. McCarthy, Chief, Longwood Fire Company A.J. McCarthy The severe fiscal plight of ambulance services across Pennsylvania was highlighted this week in an editorial in neighboring Lancaster County. That same editorial could have been written about ambulance services in Chester County as the same frightening facts are applicable. Dean Bollendorf, president of the Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania,...

Op/Ed: Municipal funding decisions for fire/EMS putting public at risk

A.J. McCarthy (Times’ file photo). By A.J. McCarthy, Chief, Longwood Fire Company The decision by Oxford Borough Council to decrease funding for Union Fire Company and its EMS service is endangering its constituents’ safety. Also, the reported comments by Borough Manager Brian Hoover are infuriating and misleading the citizens of Oxford. Fire companies and EMS units in Chester County struggle...

Chesco Emergency Services workers honored

Left to Right: Ron Linville, President PA APCO; Chester County Telecommunicator Jon Kromer; Assistant Supervisor Todd Ziegler; Telecommunicator Mark Bynum; Telecommunicator Heather Lindner; and APCO Executive Board Member JJ McFarlen. WEST CHESTER — Members of the B Platoon of the Chester County Department of Emergency Services were named the 2016 Team of the Year by the Pennsylvania Chapter...

County unveils new ReadyChesco emergency notification system

WEST CHESTER —  The Chester County Department of Emergency Services (CCDES) announced Monday the upgrade of its mass emergency notification system. The upgrade includes a new identification, ReadyChesCo, which replaces the existing ReadyNotify brand. ReadyChesCo incorporates greater technological capabilities and flexibility. All Chester County residents, businesses and organizations are encouraged...

County dedicates new tactical village

Chester County Commissioners (center front, Michelle Kichline, Kathi Cozzone and Terence Farrell), as well as elected officials and representatives from the first responder community, cut the ribbon to officially open the Chester County Public Safety Training Campus Tactical Village. SOUTH COATESVILLE — Chester County Commissioners Terence Farrell, Kathi Cozzone and Michelle Kichline were joined...

Kagel named Chesco Emergency Services Director

Robert Kagel WEST CHESTER — Chester County Commissioners today named Robert Kagel as Director of the Department of Emergency Services. Kagel was formerly deputy director for emergency management for the department. “The safety of Chester County residents is one of our top priorities and this is an extremely important position in county government,” said Chester County Commissioners’ Chair...

County buys generators for municipalities

Birmingham, Kennett, Downingtown, Coatesville among recipients WEST CHESTER — At a time when Chester County is celebrating National Preparedness Month, the Chester County Commissioners announce the availability of 188 generators, for use by municipalities in the event of a major power outage. Purchased through an Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant secured by the County’s Department...