2010 News
May 21, 2010
Heroic Emergency Personnel Honored as Commissioners Proclaim Emergency Medical Services Week
The Bucks County Commissioners recognized local emergency physicians, emergency nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, educators, and administrators at Wednesday evening’s bi-monthly meeting by proclaiming this week as Emergency Medical Services Week. The proclamation, read by Commissioner Jim Cawley, was presented to Emergency Health Services Director Jeryl DeGideo who accepted on behalf of the almost 2,000 emergency medical personnel throughout Bucks County.
During the business portion of the meeting, Commissioners Charles H. Martin, chairman, Cawley, and Diane Ellis-Marseglia considered and adopted a slate of 32 items from 18 departments. Among them were several items from the county’s Emergency Services division, including a contract with L. Robert Kimball & Associates to begin the next phase of the narrowbanding project. According to director John Dougherty, the county has until June 30 to work with Kimball to apply for radio frequencies, as well as develop specifications for the actual system and the request-for-proposal for implementation, which will ultimately improve interoperability in the region. The nearly $150,000 will come from a US Department of Homeland Security grant through the Southeastern PA Regional Task Force, comprised of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.
The commissioners also approved a contract increase for architectural work at Churchville Nature Center, as part of its three-phase “green” capital expansion project that will include a new welcome center, an expanded gift shop, a nature research and discovery room, an expanded education room, an environmental science lab, a public sitting area and an enlarged exhibit area. Also along the theme of environmental commitment, the commissioners approved the preservation of a 95-acre tract of open space in Bedminster Township as part of the municipal open space grant program administered by the Planning Commission’s Kris Kern.
Commissioner Marseglia cast “nay” votes on items 2g (a foster care contract with Concern for supervised independent living and residential care services), 2i (a contract for foster care, emergency shelter and residential services with Families United Network), 10a (a contract amendment with Travelers Casualty & Surety Co.), and 11b (bid award to Worth & Company, Inc. for an air conditioning system). Marseglia cited her continued concern with agencies that place Bucks County foster children outside the county, and the failure of all foster care providers to respond to the commissioners’ written request for increased recruitment within Bucks County.
Newly minted Chief Operating Officer Brian Hessenthaler reported that compared to the last gubernatorial primary in 2006, which had 13.2 percent turnout, the 2010 primary, held May 18, showed a 19.6 percent turnout. He commended Board of Elections Director Deena Dean and her staff for an “excellent job” running the election.
Chief Clerk Lynn Bush provided meeting goers with information on a PennDOT project that she is hopeful will make travel smoother in Bucks County. On Monday, PennDOT began installation of an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) on Interstate 95 and Route 1 in Bucks County and on Route 63 (Woodhaven Road) in Philadelphia and Bucks counties. Crews will work over the next 10 months to install ITS equipment along 5.5 miles of I-95 between Route 1 and the New Jersey state line in Bucks County; 13.4 miles of Route 1 between the New Jersey line and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Interchange in Bucks County; and 3.3 miles of Route 63 (Woodhaven Road) between I-95 and Route 1 in Philadelphia and Bucks County.
The plan calls for six closed circuit television cameras, four dynamic message signs, eight travel time readers and 14 vehicle detectors on I-95; 19 closed circuit television cameras, nine dynamic message signs, 14 travel time readers and 50 vehicle detectors on Route 1; and five closed circuit television cameras, two dynamic message signs, six travel time readers and 14 vehicle detectors on Route 63. These components will enhance incident response and provide valuable traveler information.
The next meeting of the Bucks County Commissioners will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 2 at the Plumstead Township Building, 5186 Stump Road, Plumsteadville.