Chester County secures generators for municipality use

September 14, 2014 | submitted release

West Chester, PA — At a time when Chester County is celebrating National Preparedness Month, the Chester County Commissioners have announced the availability of 188 generators for use by municipalities in the event of a major power outage.

Purchased through an Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant secured by the County’s Department of Emergency Services, the generators will be used by 37 municipalities in Chester County that have heavily traveled routes and busy intersections regulated by traffic lights.  

West Chester Borough and West Chester University are among the recipients.

Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Ryan Costello said:  “Last winter’s ice and snow storms affected transportation throughout the county like no other in recent history.  Even once the routes were cleared of trees and other debris, the lack of electricity meant that travel remained extremely dangerous, especially at busy intersections.”

“We appreciate the investment that all 73 of our municipalities make to ensure the safety of Chester County citizens,” added Commissioner Kathi Cozzone.  “As it isn’t possible for many of the municipalities to purchase supplemental equipment that is only used in severe weather circumstances, we are pleased to assist them–and their residents–with these generators.”

Commissioner Terence Farrell also remarked that “because of this grant, municipalities will have generators available within their infrastructure stockpile to assist with the powering of traffic lights during a power outage.  This reduces the amount of manpower that would be needed at busy intersections, freeing up valuable first responder services for other emergency needs.”

The generators are to be used solely for traffic lights.  

According to Robert Kagel, Chester County Deputy Director for Emergency Management, every municipality provided a list of traffic signal intersection locations where a generator would be needed. “We were pleased to find that the funds supplied by the UASI grant were sufficient to cover all 188 generators that were requested by municipalities,” he said.

The municipalities that are receiving the generators will be responsible for the connection, fuel and maintenance costs.