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 of Emergency...
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 of the...
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...
Commissioners take 9-1-1 fee proposal off table
Plan to impose costs on municipalities met spirited criticism
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
The county commissioners announced yesterday that they will not advance a contentious proposal introduced in June to impose a cost-
Commissioners Kathi Cozzone (from left), Terence Farrell and Ryan Costello will not pursue a 9-1-1 cost-recovery plan proposed last month.
recovery fee for...
Chester County announces layoffs of 30 employees
County hopes to save $2 million; declining tax revenue, cuts in state aid force slashing
Updated: adds additional comment, 8 p.m. EDT
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
WEST CHESTER — Chester County announced Wednesday that it would lay off some 30 county employees, what county officials referred to as a “streamlining” of county services.
The cuts come in three departments, Facilities & Parks,...
