Chester County's 911 call stations in West Chester, West Goshen and South Coatesville Borough will get new computers, cybersecurity hardware and an AI detection system under a $400,000 grant.
State Sen. Carolyn Comitta announced the funding Tuesday, Sept. 15, as part of a nearly $2 million package for six public safety projects across Chester County. The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved all six grants the same day.
The 911 grant, awarded to Chester County, will pay for upgraded workstations including peripheral devices, antennae, speakers, docking stations and power supplies. It will also cover software licenses and the rollout of a new AI-managed detection and response service within the 911 system. The announcement did not name the technology vendor or give a timeline for installation.
The money comes from the state Department of Community and Economic Development's Local Share Account program, which distributes Pennsylvania gaming revenue to community projects. Counties, municipalities and other public entities can apply.
Comitta said in the announcement that the investments will help ensure Chester County residents know help is a phone call away when emergencies arise. She thanked fire, police, ambulance and emergency response professionals and volunteers across the county.
The five other grants fund fire and police equipment:
- $795,000 for Union Fire Company No. 1 in Oxford for a new fire engine, replacing a rescue pumper more than 20 years old
- $345,000 for Paoli Fire Company for a pumper tanker with a 3,000-gallon water tank, replacing a 20-year-old unit
- $240,000 for Washington Hose Fire Company No. 1 in Coatesville for an ambulance
- $100,000 for the City of Coatesville for a fire engine and ladder truck, where current apparatus are more than two decades old and frequently out of service
- $65,000 for Valley Township for a police incident command vehicle
All six grants were approved Sept. 15.
Valley Township police currently run incident command from the hood or trunk of a patrol car. The Coatesville Fire Department responds to more than 700 emergencies each year, according to the announcement.
Rep. John Lawrence, who represents the Oxford area, said he worked with Comitta to secure the Union Fire Company grant. "This substantial state funding comes at an important time for Union Fire Company, and helps ensure our firefighters have the equipment they need to serve our community," Lawrence said in the announcement.
Chester County has not announced when the 911 upgrades will begin or which AI product will be deployed.
