Chester County's Public Safety Training Facility Project

Buried deep within the the pages of this week's Parkesburg Post Ledger (PPL) is word of Parkesburg's Borough Council unanimous support for Chester County's proposed Public Safety Training Facility.

The Public Safety Training Facility (PSTF) is planned for 70 acres of land near the intersection of Newlinville and Doe Run roads just south of Coatesville in East Fallowfield. The $20M project paid for with County, State and Federal grants, provides Chester County's 5000 first responders facilities where they can learn and practice together the latest techniques for protecting our communities.

Without the facility our police and fire first responders will be forced to travel to similar facilities in Delaware, Montgomery or Lancaster Counties or use abandoned buildings around town to conduct training excercises as the police did this past February when they held an all day training exercise at the shopping center at the west end of Main Street. Its no wonder that Brian Sheller, Parkesburg's Chief of Police said the center is "30 years overdue."

The project, while being well received at the county and state levels, recently experienced some "Not In My Back Yard" (NIMBY) opposition by neighbors of the project in East Fallowfield. In light of the NIMBY opposition and recognizing how important having the training center in Parkesburg backyard, Ken Knickerbocker proposed a resolution expressing support for the center at Borough Council's July 16th meeting. The resolution read as follows:

RESOLUTION NO 2007-27

(Non-Legislative)

PARKESBURG BOROUGH

CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF PARKESBURG, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, TO SUPPORT THE COUNTY OF CHESTER’S EFFORTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN EMERGENCY RESPONDERS TRAINING FACILITY IN EAST FALLOWFIELD TOWNSHIP

WHEREAS, the County of Chester, is proposing to construct an Public Safety Training Facility;

WHEREAS, a 70 acre tract owned by Chester County and located in East Fallowfield Township, Pennsylvania, is being considered for the proposed Public Safety Training Facility;

WHEREAS, the Public Safety Training Facility is a necessity for the County and the location of East Fallowfield Township is easily accessible to all volunteers in the County; and;

WHEREAS, Parkesburg’s police force provides coverage and protection to Parkesburg as well as four additional municipalities including Highland Township, as well as the Borough’s of Honey Brook, Atglen, and Avondale.

WHEREAS, Parkesburg Fire Company provides primary and secondary service to Parkesburg and surrounding municipalities including Highland and West Sadsbury Township

WHEREAS, the Parkesburg Borough Council supports the County of Chester and the Public Safety Training Facility Task Force in its endeavor to construct the Public Safety Training Facility in East Fallowfield Township.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Parkesburg Borough Council that the construction of an Public Safety Training Facility is an immediate and high priority project for the County and that the Parkesburg Borough Council fully supports such project.

ADOPTED this 16th day of July, 2007.

BOROUGH OF PARKESBURG

After a brief discussion the Resolution was approved by Council.

This is a significant development that deserves front page coverage. This action not only expresses Council's support for Parkesburg's fire, police and EMS groups, but supports keeping the training center nearby and easy for our police and fire people to get to. Council's action in support of the training center underscores Parkesburg emerging role as a leader in the events shaping western Chester County future.