County completes safety exercise at Limerick

The Chester County Department of Emergency Services (DES) has successfully completed its bi-annual federally evaluated, full-scale exercise at the Limerick Generating Station. The nuclear power plant in Montgomery County has been producing zero-emissions electricity since 1986 without incident, but these exercises are necessary to ensure full preparedness in the event of a radiation emergency. Chester...

Op/Ed: Chester County prepared for active shooter incidents

By Thomas Hogan, Chester County District Attorney Shane Clark, President, Chester County Police Chiefs Association Bobby Kagel, Director, Chester County Department of Emergency Services In the wake of the Florida school shooting, many people have asked whether Chester County law enforcement is prepared for such an incident. On behalf of the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, Police Chiefs...

Chesco Emergency Services tabbed for awards

Chester County has received two achievement awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) for programs developed by the county’s Department of Emergency Services. The two programs – Care Under Fire and Youth First Responder’s Career Training – picked up the accolades within NACo’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety category. Both awards will be formally recognized on July 23 at...

County offers safety tips for Memorial Day weekend

WEST CHESTER — Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer. Whether you are traveling or enjoying your backyard barbecue, here are some tips to keep you and your family safe this weekend and all during the summer season. Drive Safely. When you are traveling it’s important to drive safely. Be well rested and alert, and everyone use seat belts. If your plans include drinking alcohol, have...

Three honored for Chesco emergency services

Beau Crowding (left), Jon Kromer and Steve Webb, were recipients of awards from the Pennsylvania Fire and EMS Services Institute. WEST CHESTER — Three Chester County Department of Emergency Services members were recently honored for contributions to emergency services and their community during the 25th annual Pennsylvania Fire and EMS Services Institute (PFESI) conference and dinner. George “Beau”...

County graduates 26 new firefighters

West Chester Fire Department Chaplain Jerry Schwartz speaks with the graduates during Thursday’s ceremony. COATESVILLE  – Chester County Department of Emergency Services, Fire Services Division, held graduation for the Spring 2015 Firefighter I class.  Twenty-six graduates were given their certification at a ceremony that was held at the Wagontown Fire Company on Thursday. Family, friends...

Tredyriffin 8 year old honored for life saving call

Eight year old Ashley Kirk is honored by Chester County and Treydriffrin emergency officials for her 911 call in January that may have saved her mother’s life. The Valley Forge Elementary School student was able to provide key information to dispatchers and first responders when her mother developed breathing problems. TREDYRIFFIN — On Jan. 25, eight year old Ashley Kirk called 9-1-1 to get...

Cawley pledges state support as storm repairs continue

PECO now says less than 56,000 locations without power — most to be fixed by Sunday By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley listens as Chester County Emergency Services Director Ed Adkins talks about the county’s Emergency Operations Center, which has been at high alert all week, following this week’s ice storm that knocked out power to more than 200,000 county residents. WESTTOWN...