On Monday, November 18, 2024, the Southern Chester County Emergency Medical Services (SCCEMS Medic-94) and Avon Grove Regional Emergency Management (AGREM) officially moved into the Southern Chester County Emergency Operations Center (SCCEOC) located at 863 W. Baltimore Pike in West Grove. The SCCEOC was a concept of the Penn Township Board of Supervisors in collaboration with SCCEMS-Medic 94 and AGREM. Penn Township owns both the property on which the SCCEOC sits and the SCCEOC building itself.  

In December of 2022, the Chester County Commissioners awarded Penn Township an $850,000.00 grant for the purpose of creating a Southern Chester County Emergency Services Center to house SCCEMS - Medic 94. The award was part of $103 million in American Rescue Plan funds awarded by the Commissioners to assist and improve infrastructure, public health response and disproportionately impacted communities affected so grievously by the COVID-19 public health emergency. Penn Supervisors, upon being awarded the funds, undertook a development process in partnership with SCCEMS-Medic 94 and AGREM to design and build the SCCEOC in record time. Using the township’s own American Rescue Plan funds to match the county’s award, and the rest is history. Numerous local contractors were a part of the project, including McComsey Builders and New London Electric. 

“Our commitment to the health, safety and welfare of our residents, businesses and visitors is a part of our mission. In recent years, events such as the global pandemic, have caused us to realize the urgent need for a stand-alone emergency services center with permanent home for SCCEMS - Medic 94 here in the southern portion of the county. With this grant, combined with the township’s own ARPA funds, the Commissioners are enabling us to make that a reality,” said Penn Supervisors’ Chair Victor Mantegna.

The combination of the pandemic, the closing of Jennersville Hospital, and a space that was outgrown created a challenging situation for SCCEMS-Medic 94 and the community of southern Chester County. AGREM has shifted between New London Township building and Penn Township building for a number of years as well. Now, with the completion of this project, both AGREM and SCCEMS-Medic 94 have secure futures for years to come enabling the organizations to deliver their services to the entirety of Southern Chester County. 

“We are proud of our county and municipal relationships. This new partnership has resulted in a permanent, centrally located home to ensure rapid response for our Medic 94 services in the region. We thank Chester County and Penn Township for their vision and commitment to such a worthy and worthwhile endeavor,” said Bob Hotchkiss, CEO, SCCEMS – Medic 94. 

A formal ribbon cutting and open house will be held in May.