Westchester department heads report ladder-truck repairs, police hiring boost and $7,500 K-9 grant; Good Fellowship named sole EMS provider for neighboring Twp.

Westchester public-safety officials reported operational updates at the council meeting, including an out-of-service ladder truck, staffing and recruitment updates for the police department, a $7,500 grant for the K-9 program and Good Fellowship EMS' designation as sole EMS provider for West Whiteland Township.

Justin McClure, assistant fire chief, told the council that ladder-truck repairs are underway and that the department is paying the lease on a loaner while body and motor repairs continue. "They remain out of service, while repairs continue to be completed. Slow but steady progress," McClure said, and added that the department did not have an estimated time of restoration.

Police updates: Chief Josh Lee reported several items. He described Officer Norm Duncan as the department's first school resource officer under a contract with Henderson High School and praised the program. Lee also said the department was awarded a $7,500 grant through an American Kennel Club program called AKC Reunite to help cover costs related to the department's canine, Odin. "We were awarded a $7,500 grant," Lee said. He noted the department spends about $2,000 a year on food for Odin and said more information about the canine will be shared next month.

Lee said narcotics-related reports rose slightly in February but characterized such spikes as sometimes tied to the conclusion of particular investigations. He reported the police force currently has 42 officers of a full complement of 44 and that more than 100 applicants registered to take the department's recent recruitment exam — the highest sign-up level in more than a decade. The department plans to try to have new officers in place by June or July and hopes to hire a police social worker by May 1.

Noise and code enforcement: Lee also said noise complaints remain concentrated in the borough's southeast sector and reported that one citation issued for noise has been forwarded to the building, housing and codes department; the property is reportedly in jeopardy of losing its rental permit because of repeated violations.

EMS and hospitals: Justin Robbins, director of operations for Good Fellowship, said the organization responded to 627 calls in February, including 73 within the borough, and reported a decrease in alcohol- and drug-related patient transports from the prior month. Robbins said Good Fellowship has been named sole EMS provider for West Whiteland Township effective June 1 and added that the organization is monitoring potential impacts from concerns at Crozer Hospital in Delaware County.

Special events: staff presented three special-event applications — an Empower Specialty Fitness 5K and awareness walk; an annual FOP-supported event on the 200 block of North Church Street; and a March for Life walk beginning at the Chester County courthouse and ending at Everhart Park. Staff reported no issues with the applications; the transcript records a motion to approve special-event applications but does not record a vote or the outcome.

What was not decided: no formal council votes or ordinance adoptions on these operational items were recorded in the transcript; staffing and equipment items were reported for information and potential future action.

Officials said they will provide further updates at upcoming meetings.