Yearly Report

The Chester County Department of Emergency Services' 2011 Yearly Report can be found on our website at www.chesco.org/des - the link to the report is there on the home page. 

ARES/RACES Update

Joe Vilardo was recently appointed Emergency Coordinator by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).  Joe replaced Jim Harris who had to step down due to increasing work demands.  Joe is a 13+ year member of the Chester County ARES/RACES.

Joe Stratton was appointed SkyWarn Coordinator by the National Weather Services.  Joe replaced George Vargo.  In this role, Joe coordinates and collects adverse weather conditions in attempt to promote public safety and minimize property damage.  He shares this information with our local National Weather Service Forecast Office in Mount Holly, NJ. 

ARES/RACES supported the Department of Community Development in the Point in Time count on 25 January.  This event places teams of indivduals on the streets in an attempt to physically count the number of people experiencing homelessness.  ARES/RACES provided communications back into the "command center," provided real-time GPS tracking so the "command center" knew where teams were at all times, and provided a safety layer by having first aid and CPR trained personnel with the teams.

For more information on the Chester County ARES/RACES go to http://www.w3eoc.org/

Director's Monthly Report for January 2012

January 2012

-There were a total of 21,849 call for service in the 9-1-1 Center. 
-Police Responses were 26,809
-Fire Responses were 761
-EMS Responses - ALS - 1,780 and BLS - 1,331  For a Total of 3,111
-The Pub Ed Team had 5 events with a total of 64 contacts.
-Fire Marshals investigated 18 fires; 16 unintentional, 1 undetermined and 1 intentional
-4 Fire Training Classes were held with 73 students graduating

-The Fire Services Yearly Informational Session will be scheduled for early Spring.  Watch for notices.

-The HazMat Team had 2 staff responses and 2 team responses:
          Staff Responses: 
          Jan. 22 - Penn Township for a utility trailer fire containing chemicals use for spray insulation
          Jan 28 - East Fallowfield Township for fuel spill in water after a traffic accident

          Team Responses:
           Jan. 13 - West Bradford Township for fuel spill after an accident
           Jan. 20 - East Goshen Township for a suspicious package/white powder incident

-Emergency Management Division is helping FEMA and PEMA who are in the county to work with local and county governments and eligilble non-profit organizations to develop the documentation and request for reimbursements realted to Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.  FEMA and PEMA reps are focused on Chester County, Delaware County and Philadelphia.

-Field Services Division continues to work with the PA Dept. of Health, Bureau of EMS and PEHSC to develop the new EMT curriculum and the State EMS Plan.  Both Projects should be completed by July 2012.

EFJ Collar Microphones

The following information was sent to all Police, Fire and EMS Chiefs

Chiefs:

Upon investigating complaints from the field of low transmit audio from the new fire collar mics for the new Ascend portable radios, EF Johnson has confirmed this issue.  We plan an immediate exchange of ALL of your collar mics for the new Ascend portable radio. 

An EF Johnson rep will bring the new mics to your station.  We ask your cooperation in helping us exchange all of your mics during this initial visit.  DES will work with you to swap any remaining mics at a later date.

Please advise me of the earliest date and time you will be able to accommodate this swap (a meeting/training night or if you can assemble the needed mics at a time specifically to accommodate this swap).  We hope to start this as early as tomorrow night 02/01 and finish the bulk of the swaps within a week

Chris Brignola

Technical Support Division

Chester County Department of Emergency Services