West Chester, Pa. (September 15, 2026) – Six projects to improve public safety and strengthen emergency response services in Coatesville, Oxford, Valley, Willistown, and communities across Chester County were awarded state funding, state Senator Carolyn Comitta announced today.
“Strong emergency response and public safety services are integral to a strong quality of life in our communities,” Comitta said. “These investments will help ensure that residents and families across Chester County know that help is just a phone call away should an emergency arise. I want to thank all the fire, police, ambulance, and emergency response professionals and volunteers who work tirelessly to keep us safe, secure, and healthy.”
“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,” said Rep. John Lawrence. “Working together with Senator Comitta, we were able to deliver these important grant dollars to support critical services in Oxford. This builds on the commitment to bring state resources to Southern Chester County to support critical projects and infrastructure.”
The projects were awarded nearly $2 million in total state funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Local Share Account Program. They were approved today by the Commonwealth Financing Authority and are as follows:
- $65,000 for Valley Township to purchase and upfit a police vehicle designed for incident command operations. Currently, Valley Township police conduct incident command from the hood or trunk of a patrol car, which is dangerous, inefficient, and nearly impossible at night or in inclement weather. This investment will provide a fully operational, industry-compliant command vehicle that improves local and regional emergency response capabilities.
- $100,000 for the City of Coatesville for a new fire engine and ladder truck for the Coatesville Fire Department. The department’s current apparatus are more than two decades old and frequently out of service. Coatesville first responders need reliable equipment as they respond to more than 700 emergencies each year in the city and surrounding area.
- $240,000 for an ambulance for Washington Hose Fire Company No. 1 in Coatesville. The fire company’s current ambulance is nearing the end of its lifespan. Due to aging, wear and tear, and related mechanical and electrical issues, it no longer complies with recognized EMS vehicle standards.
- $345,000 for Paoli Fire Company for a new pumper tanker fire apparatus. The company will replace its existing 20-year-old unit with new apparatus featuring a 3,000-gallon water tank and modern pumping equipment.
- $795,000 for the new fire engine for Union Fire Company No. 1 in Oxford. The company’s current rescue pumper is more than two decades old. Due to its age, mileage, and maintenance costs have risen in recent years, and replacement parts are increasingly difficult to find. Replacing the rescue pumper with a new, modern fire engine will meet important industry safety standards.
- $400,000 for Chester County to purchase 911 software and equipment located at call stations in West Chester, West Goshen, and South Coatesville Borough. The county will use the funds to upgrade current workstations with new computers, peripheral devices, antennae, speakers, docking stations, cybersecurity hardware, and power supplies. The investment will also support software costs, necessary licenses, and implementation of a new AI-managed detection and response service within the system.
The Local Share Account program is designed to distribute funds derived from gaming revenue to support community and economic development projects.
Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, economic development agencies, redevelopment authorities, land banks, and councils of government.
Eligible projects must improve the quality of life of community citizens and be owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a nonprofit organization.
###