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 of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (PA APCO).
B Platoon members are telecommunicators and supervisors from Chester County’s Department of Emergency Services. PA APCO presents annual awards to public safety communications personnel recognizing those who have demonstrated the highest levels of performance.
On March 1, 2016, B Platoon was on duty when a call to the Chester County 9-1-1 Center reported suspicious vehicle activity in Tredyffrin Township. Tredyffrin Township police arrived at the reported location and the incident rapidly escalated into an extensive vehicle pursuit, travelling on Route 202 and the Schuylkill Expressway. B Platoon was called in to coordinate information among law enforcement agencies including the Pennsylvania State Police Belmont Barracks, Pennsylvania State Police Aviation Unit and PennDOT Traffic Control Center, and the team’s actions assisted in the apprehension of seven suspected members of the nationally known Felony Lane Gang. The suspects were arrested after a chase that took place on Route 202 and the Schuylkill Expressway.
The incident traversed two counties, several major state roadways, more than 12 miles and lasted nearly 30 minutes.
John Haynes, Deputy Director for Chester County 9-1-1 Operations said, “This incident is an example of the high level of service provided by this well trained, highly motivated team of telecommunicators and the teamwork among all of Chester County’s emergency providers. We are pleased that PA APCO chose to recognize their efforts by naming them 2016 Team of the Year.”
