Announcements & Highlights
Celebrating 25 Years of Service to the Municipalities we support and the residents we serve!
It's that time of year when you need to adjust the time on your clocks to reflect the change to or from Daylight Savings Time.
While you're thinking about the time change, it is an opportunity to also check your personal and family preparedness kits. Your kit should have food and related supplies to support you and your family for up to 72 hours (3-days) or more if your are impacted by a local disaster.
- Check the dates on your non-perishable food items, and replace any items that are expired.
- Check the dates on any water bottles and pouches and replace with new bottles or pouches as needed.
- Replace the batteries in your flashlights and portable emergency radios. Consider newer devices that support charging by solar or that have hand-cranks to provide temporary power.
- Check personal care items like sunscreen, insect repellant, deodorant, toothpaste, hand wipes/cleaner, medications, etc... and replace as needed.
- Check any pet-related emergency supplies that are part of your kit.
- Review your emergency contact list and update/change names, contact numbers, and address information as necessary.
- Check copies of important documents such as drivers licenses, insurance cards/policies, medication lists, etc... that are in your kit to be sure they are up-to-date. Put these documents in a waterproof container and consider putting that inside a fireproof bag or portable box as well.
The Chester County Department of Emergency Services is sponsoring Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training this spring.The course is scheduled to start on March 24, 2025, and will be in delivered in a hybrid format, with some portions done on-line, and others requiring in-person participation.
The Basic CERT Training teaches you basic disaster response skills so you can safely help yourself and those around you when disaster strikes and when professional responders aren’t available. Learn how to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community.
Review the CERT Course Flyer for dates, times and registration details.
A public survey for the Chester County Hazard Mitigation Plan is available for residents in Chester County. The survey is intended to identify areas where community members are prepared and understand where they could use additional education and resources. Access the survey using the following link: HMP Public Survey. You can share the link directly, or print & share the flyer (see below) that contains a QR Code.
The Chester County Commissioners lifted the ban on open burning this week at a specially scheduled public meeting on December 9th.
Bill Messerschmidt of the Chester County Department of Emergency Services made the recommendation to lift the ban --
Following a period of wet weather, the risk of fire danger has decreased across Chester County, allowing us to remove a ban on open fires.
The Chester County Health Department has flu and covid vaccines available directly from the Health Department in West Chester. Appointments and registration are required.
Check the Chester County Health Department website for dates and times, the required forms, and for additional related information.
Other alternative locations are your local health provider's office, or at one of the clinics inside an area pharmacy like CVS and Walgreens. Check directly with your health provider or your area pharmacies for vaccine availability and any registration/appointment requirements.
Properly Maintain and Test your Smoke Detectors
Smoke Detectors are Life-Savers:
- Install at least one on every floor, outside sleeping areas, and inside bedrooms.
- Change the batteries twice a year during the Spring/Fall daylight-savings time change. Consider installing sealed 10-year batteries.
- Test your detectors regularly. Replace detectors if they do not operate properly. Also replace them after 10 years since their manufactured date.
- Install (or replace existing) smoke detectors with the latest "dual-detector" devices.
Smoke Detector Information from the Consumer Product Safety Commission
Recommendation:
Use your monthly smoke detector checks as practice fire drill with your family. Make sure everyone knows where to gather outside the home. Remind everyone to NEVER re-enter the home until it is determined safe.
If your smoke alarm was installed or manufactured in or before 2014, it should be replaced with a newer device.
Fall is the time of year when leaves change colors and various animals (both large and small) are more active than usual.
The beauty of fall colors turns hazardous when leaves are on the road. Leave extra following distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead and slow down. Leaves, even on a dry roadway, may increase your stopping/braking distances. The hazard is greatly increased when the roads or leaves are wet.
Deer and other animals are more active and pay less attention to cars and trucks on the roads. They are especially active during the early morning and early to late evening hours. Remember: if you see one deer, there may be several more nearby. Slow down and don't drive faster than the stopping distance visible with your headlights.
Make sure you and your vehicle are Winter Weather Ready!
- Fill up the fuel tank.
- Check condition of all tires, replace as needed.
- Check tire pressure and adjust as needed for proper inflation.
- Check that your spare tire has air (or portable air inflators work and fix-a-flat cans are not expired).
- Check windshield wipers, and replace if worn).
- Check your oil, brake, and windshield-washer fluid levels. Fill as needed.
- Check that all exterior lights (headlights, turn and stop signals, emergency flashers) are all in working order.
- Check that your interior heater is in working condition.
- Check that you have a snow shovel, and extra traction devices (chains, traction strips, kitty-litter, sand, etc..).
- Check that you have road flares or other external warning devices.
- Check that you have a portable light or flashlight with fresh batteries.
- Check that you have jumper cables.
- Battery or crank-operated Radio (AM/FM/Weather)
- Blanket
- Bottled Water
- Cellphone and charger
- Extra warm clothing, hats and gloves
- First-Aid supplies
- Flashlight and fresh batteries
- Ice scraper
- Matches and candles
- Non-perishable food
- Snow shovel
- Tire-chains, traction strips, and kitty-litter or sand)
- Anything else you need to accommodate you and your family (special medications, baby supplies, pet food, pet water dish, etc..)
- Add additional following distance behind the vehicle ahead
- Lower your travel speeds when roads are wet, icy, snow-covered, and especially at night when black-ice may be hard to see.
- Do NOT pass snow removal equipment (plows, tractors, etc)
- Leave 4 car lengths of extra distance behind snow removal equipment
- Start slowing down sooner to give yourself more stopping distance
- Wait for other vehicles to fully clear an intersection before proceeding
- Use extra caution traveling through intersections when cross-traffic is approaching -- they may not be able to fully stop before entering the intersection.
- Travel with your headlights on so other drivers can more easily see you
- If you break-down:
- Get your vehicle off the roadway away from any traffic flow
- Turn on your emergency flashers
- Avoid standing in front or behind your disabled vehicle or on the side where traffic is flowing.
- Set up flares or other warning devices so other drivers know your vehicle is disabled.
CWA will be flushing fire hydrants in New London Township between September 1st and September 6th. To minimize impact to customers, the work will be done overnight from 9pm to 5am the next morning Sunday night thru Friday morning.
During this work there could be brief periods when household water may be discolored and water water pressure reduced. Both of these will be temporary.
Severe weather has been forecast for our area. Be "weather-aware" by listening to local radio and other weather-related broadcasts. If a weather-alert is issued by the National Weather Service, pay close attention to any recommended safety actions that should be taken to protect you and your family.
High winds can bring down tree limbs and entire trees. Heavy rain can fall within a very short period of time which can cause water to pond on roadways and in low lying areas. Be prepared for flash flooding as well.
It only takes 6 inches of moving water to cause a person to fall. A foot of water can cause you to lose control of a vehicle. Two feet of water will wash a vehicle away. Remember -- Turn Around, Don't Drown. Do not put your life or the lives of first responders in danger by attempting to drive across a flooded roadway.
During high winds, be alert for flying debris -- leaves, twigs, branches, and items like unsecured outdoor furniture, trash cans, and other items.
Be prepared for hazards like downed power lines, and the increased possibility of unexpected and prolonged power outages. Always report a power outage to your local utility company, and not 9-1-1.
If you come across downed power lines, see power lines sparking or on fire, or smell the odor of gas -- leave the immediate area and call 9-1-1 to report these types of hazards.
You should also call 9-1-1 if your power is off AND someone in your household depends on utility power for life-saving equipment.
If you live in an area prone to flooding (i.e. near a major creek or stream) increase your awareness of the latest water flow volume and water levels using the AGREM page: Local Stream Water Levels and Flow
For more information on Floods and Flood Safety, visit Ready.Gov Flood Information or National Weather Service Flood Safety Information.
High / Excessive Temperatures Expected
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat advisory, warning, or alert for our area. High temperatures plus humidity can cause the outdoor temperatures to feel like 100 degrees or more.
Take measures to stay cool, remain hydrated and to keep informed. Getting too hot can make you sick. You can become ill from the heat if your body can't compensate for it and properly cool you off.
Those who are at highest risk include people 65 and older, children younger than two, and people with chronic diseases or mental illness. Closely monitor people who depend on you for their care:
- Are they drinking enough water?
- Do they have access to air conditioning?
- Do they need help keeping cool?
People at greatest risk for heat-related illness can take the following protective actions to prevent illness or death:
- Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. Contact your local health department or locate an air-conditioned shelter in your area. Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death. If a home is not air-conditioned, people can reduce their risk for heat-related illness by spending time in public facilities that are air-conditioned, and using air conditioning in vehicles.
- Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device during an extreme heat event.
- Drink more water than usual and don't wait until you're thirsty to drink.
- Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you.
- Don't use the stove or oven to cook—it will make you and your house hotter.
Even young and healthy people can get sick from the heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather:
- Limit outdoor activity, especially midday when the sun is hottest.
- Wear and reapply sunscreen as indicated on the package.
- Pace activity. Start activities slow and pick up the pace gradually. Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more. Muscle cramping may be an early sign of heat-related illness.
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Poor or Dangerous Air Quality Expected
An Air Quality advisory, warning, or alert has been issued for our area.
An air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become or is already unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include ♦ children ♦ people suffering from asthma, heart disease, or other lung diseases ♦ the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.
Driving in Fog or Rain
If it is foggy or raining, turn on your headlights to help other drivers to more easily see you. On newer cars, do not rely on the automatic sensor to turn your lights on -- turn them on manually instead.
Remember: whenever you turn your windshield wipers on, you should turn on your headlights too!
Heavy Rains Expected
Heavy rains are expected to come across our area. Remember it only takes 6 inches of moving water to cause a person to fall, 1 foot of water to lose control of your vehicle, and 2 feet to carry a vehicle away. DO NOT drive across a flooded roadway! The water is often deeper or moving faster than it may appear. Many drivers have become trapped and their vehicles swept away with the flow. "Turn Around, Don't Drown®" -- nothing is so important that you should risk your life or the lives of the Emergency Responders who may be sent to rescue you.
Flood Warning / Flood Watch
Driving in Fog or Rain
If it is foggy or raining, turn on your headlights to help other drivers to more easily see you. On newer cars, do not rely on the automatic sensor to turn your lights on -- turn them on manually instead.
Remember: whenever you turn your windshield wipers on, you should turn on your headlights too!
West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) are viruses carried by mosquitos. Occurences of both have been reported in the Northeastern US. West Nile virus cases have been reported in New Jersey.
Information on the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of West Nile Virus and EEE is available from the US CDC (Centers for Disease Control) website using the webpage links provided below.
Information on preventing mosquito bites is available from the Chester County Health Department and the US Environmental Protection Agency websites using their respective webpage links provided below.
