DES names Tom Glass Deputy Director for EMA

Chester County Department of Emergency Services Names 

Tom Glass
Deputy Director for Emergency Management.

Since 2000, Tom has served as the Hazardous Materials Coordinator for the Chester County Department of Emergency Services (DES).  He has been Chief of the Hazardous Material Response Team for the past 15 years.  Tom’s responsibilities included planning in the emergency management division for the SARA/Hazmat related facilities as well as managing the Hazmat Response Team and the 30 part-time Hazmat Responders. 

Tom started his career with DES 1974 as a Fire/EMS dispatcher rising to the rank of Shift Supervisor for the communication center.

In 1990 he then went on to serve as the SARA Coordinator where his primary role was the development of the required, by SARA Title III, off-site response plans for the 70 to 120 facilities. During this time Tom was instrumental with the startup of the Hazardous Materials Response Team in Chester County. Chosen by his peers, he served as the Deputy Chief of the team, before taking over as Chief in 2000.

During his time at DES, Tom has served as Chairman of the Hazmat Subcommittee for the Southeast PA Regional Task Force and various positions in the Pennsylvania Association of Hazardous Materials Technicians including President.  

Tom is also a part-time fire instructor with the Chester County Public Safety Training Campus where he teaches responders about hazardous materials.

Outside of DES, Tom is a top responding volunteer firefighter with over 40 years’ experience.

Tom holds certifications in firefighting, EMT and hazardous materials.  Tom holds an Associate Degree in Emergency Management and Planning from Delaware County Community College.