County Receives Perfect Score In Strategic National Stockpile Program

Chester County has received a perfect score of 100 on the 2011 Federal Technical Assistance Review (TAR).  The TAR is an annual assessment by the Centers for Disease Control supported by the PA Department of Health of the overall county Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) program, including the comprehensive exercises conducted during the month of June and other planning, training, and exercises conducted from July 2010 to June 2011.

“Protecting Chester County residents during emergencies is essential,” said Commissioners Chair Terence Farrell. “This review indicates the county is doing all that is possible to prepare.” 

From June 27 until June 29, 2011, the county SNS team partnered with many public and private stakeholders to execute a series of training and exercise events.  

The exercise enabled key leaders, staff, and volunteers to practice the communication and public information elements, as well as the county-wide distribution and dispensing of medication in response to a medical emergency impacting the whole county.  More than 200 staff and volunteers and more than 30 facilities supported these exercises. 

“Many county professionals worked hard to prepare the plan and make sure it would work,” said Commissioner Kathi Cozzone. “They should be commended for the success of their planning and efforts.” 

The county's SNS program is led by the directors of the Chester County Health Department and Chester County Department of Emergency Services. The team includes relevant county personnel, county school district representatives, hospital officials and representatives of care homes, private businesses and large corporations. 

“The 100 percent rating is impressive,” said Commissioner Ryan Costello. “In addition to county professionals, recognition goes to personnel from all stakeholders who are supporting Chester County’s SNS plan.” 

The recent exercises were part of the overall annual SNS Training, Exercise, and Evaluation Program.  The exercises were also executed in compliance with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program which requires strict planning, evaluation and documentation. 

The SNS program is a federally-managed system that, in the event of a major public health emergency, provides medication, medical equipment, and medical supplies to local areas to support the local response to the emergency.  The medical emergency could be natural or human-caused.  Typical planning scenarios include terrorist attack, pandemic influenza and mass Anthrax exposure.  In the event of such an emergency, citizens would be given specific instructions, and in most cases, would be directed to go to various Points of Dispensing to receive medication.

Chester County is the first county in Pennsylvania to initiate a strategic planning process and has a Aaa rating on its bonds from Moody’s Investors Service as well as AAA ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings.  Established by William Penn as one of Pennsylvania’s three original counties, Chester County has been named by Forbes.com as one of America’s best places to raise a family and is ranked the healthiest county in Pennsylvania by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute

Drought Watch Issued For Chester County

Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection today issued a drought watch for Chester and 39 other counties and more severe drought warnings for four Pennsylvania counties

According to Mike Krancer, DEP Secretary, "With the hot, dry summer, our statewide monitoring network indicates a need to take this first step, which is aimed at alerting the public and water suppliers that it makes sense to take some voluntary common sense steps to conserve," 

A drought watch declaration is the first and least severe level of the state's three drought classifications. It calls for a voluntary five-percent reduction in non-essential water use and puts large water consumers on notice to begin planning for the possibility of reduced water supplies.

A drought warning asks residents to voluntarily reduce water use by 10 to 15 percent.

Chester County's precipitation deficit over the past 90 days is 4.4 inches below normal.

According to DEP, individuals can take a number of measures around the home to conserve water, including:

• Install low-flow plumbing fixtures and aerators on faucets.
• Check for household leaks. A leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water each day.
• Take short showers instead of baths.
• Replace older appliances with high-efficiency, front-loading models that use about 30 percent less water and 40 to 50 percent less energy.
• Run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads.
• Keep water in the refrigerator to avoid running water from a faucet until it is cold.

Additional water conservation tips and drought information can be found online at www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: drought.

Water Garden Tour Benefits County Food Bank

State Senator Andy Dinniman feeds the fishes in one of the featured ponds on the Brandywine Valley Water Garden Tour.

The Brandywine Valley Water Garden Tour will be Saturday, July 30th and Sunday, July 31st from 9 AM to 5 PM each day.  The tour is an annual event where members of the community visit other community members who have spent time and care putting together their own water gardens.  

Previously called the Parade of Ponds, this is the 7th year for this annual event.  This year the tour benefits the Chester County Food Bank.    The Chester County Food Bank works everyday to feed 28,312 children, 66,421 adults, and 17,832 elderly in Chester County. They store and distribute the gleaned and gathered food to over 60 organizations located throughout Chester County. 

The Brandywine Valley Water Garden Tour is a self-guided two-day tour throughout Chester County, and includes approximately 30 stops. 

With so many variations in what people have done with their water gardens, the tour is a self-guided event where you can spend as much or as little time as you like visiting the various water features on the tour.

With two days to explore the many varied waterscapes at primarily residential properties, you can plan your route and pace to see the gardens and ponds you want to visit after purchasing a $20 ticket.

Perhaps you only want to see the largest ponds on the tour, are interested in only pondless features for your own yard, or just want to see the new ponds on the tour this year. The open ended nature of the itinerary allows you to tailor a schedule and the locations to your personal preference.

A barbecue is also a part of the event, and entrance to the barbecue is included with your pond tour tickets. 

The barbecue is a great time to relax after a long, fun day of exploring the homes on your list, meet other people who made their own trips around Chester County, and compare notes and ideas for places to visit on Sunday. 

Tour tickets can be purchased online using a credit card here.  Tickets are also available in person at the following vendors:

• Turpin Pond Source [ CCs Accepted ]
  :: 287 Martins Corner Road, Coatesville, Pa 19320
  :: 610.380.1119
• West Chester Agway [ Cash / Check ]
  :: 956 South Matlack Street, West Chester, PA 19382-7564
  :: 610.696.1700
• Brandywine Patio [ Cash / Check ]
  :: 1345 Wilmington Pike, West Chester, PA 19382
  :: 610.399.3606
• Eagle Hardware [ Cash / Check ]
  :: Route 100 @ Byers Road, Chester Springs
  :: 610.458.0961
• Pickering Valley Feed & Farm Store [ Cash / Check ]
  :: 305 Gordon Drive, Exton, PA 19341
  :: 610.696.6169
• Weaver Mulch [ Cash / Check ]
  :: 3186 Strasburg Rd, Coatesville, PA 19320
  :: 610.383.6818

 To learn more about the tour visit the web site here.