West Chester public safety update: fire, police and EMS reports for May

West Chester officials reviewed May public‑safety activity at the June Public Safety Committee meeting, including fire department incident totals, police updates on a new distracted‑driving law and hiring, and Good Fellowship EMS call volumes and awards.

Mark Scanlon, fire chief, said the Westchester Fire Department responded to 154 incidents in May, 70 of which were in West Chester Borough, bringing the department’s 2025 total through May to 683 responses. Notable May incidents included brush and building fires, two vehicle fires, multiple water rescues and a contractor striking an electrical line at Westchester University. The department estimated $378,000 in total property loss for May compared with a pre‑incident value of $27,000,000 for assets protected; it also reported 943 hours of training and 826 hours of other department activities.

Lieutenant James Gorman of the police department briefed the committee on the Paul Miller law, a distracted‑driving statute that bans handheld devices while driving and begins a 12‑month warning period that started June 5; after the warning period, the fine is $50 (he said total ticket cost with fees is about $200). Gorman reported a regional DUI checkpoint held May 10 that produced 10 DUI arrests. Council members said the department recently completed hiring steps for two officer candidates and will present them for approval at next week’s working session; a social worker has already been hired and is introducing herself to partner agencies.

Jason Tucker, captain at Good Fellowship, reported 86 calls in the borough for May and said the service recently opened a station in West Whiteland and received Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Achievement recognition from the American Heart Association and stroke/heart attack honors for collaborative care with hospitals.

Committee business also touched on routine items: council indicated it would present two police hire candidates for consent at the next meeting and said special‑event applications (including Saint Agnes Feast of the Assumption on Aug. 10 and a Mount Carmel block party July 19) would be processed; council members said some larger neighborhood events should file special‑event applications even if no borough services are requested.

No formal votes related to staffing or special events were recorded at the meeting; committee members said staffing appointments will appear for approval at the next council working session.