Delaware County Council unanimously approved funding for the necessary upgrade of the County's emergency communications system at its August 17 public meeting.

With this first major radio upgrade since the 1970s, the County will deploy new, higher frequency radios, expand the coverage area, and increase reliability and coordination among First Responders. The three-year upgrade, which includes moving the County's system to a 700 MHz radio spectrum and the purchase of 3,700 new radios, will increase the ability of various agencies to communicate and work together.

The upgrade will cost approximately $38 million, a significant discount below the initial estimate. The upgrade will be completed by JVC Kenwood and follows an extensive review of various design approaches and products that took place beginning in 2021.  

"An integral piece of our commitment to the public's safety is ensuring that First Responders across the county have the tools and resources they need to communicate with each other in real-time in order to effectively respond to crises and deploy critically needed emergency services," said Delaware County Councilman Kevin Madden. "This investment in upgrading our Public Safety Radio System will have an immediate effect and help keep our First Responders safe and allow them to more effectively work together to protect the public." 

The upgrade will increase the capacity of the County's emergency system and its reliability by moving from a 500 MHz radio spectrum to 700 MHz, increasing the security of the system to prevent hacking, and purchasing and distributing 3,700 radios to ensure that first responders have access to the system's capabilities and features. The improved system does not require new towers to be built and will utilize the 20 radio transmission towers. Local governments will also have the opportunity to purchase new radios at a significantly reduced price under this contract. 

Council’s vote to authorize the upgrade followed research and feedback from First Responders across the county. In 2019, Council commissioned a study of the needs of First Responders and the capabilities of Delaware County’s current radio system following reports that there had been multiple situations when emergency personnel could not reach the 911 system due to problems related to the use of lower 500 HMZ frequency radios. The radios that relied on older technology sometimes experienced a problem referred to as Troposphere Propagation (also known as ducting) occasionally interfering with the ability of a First Responder to communicate with the 911 Center. The new radios will utilize updated technology and new frequencies that should reduce interference issues.  

“Council commends the Department of Emergency Services, under the leadership of Director Timothy Boyce and project consultants ACD Telecom and JVC Kenwood for their diligence in improving service and reliability across the county,” said Madden. “Council has always been and will remain committed to ensuring that we are careful stewards of taxpayer money, even as we make critical and long-overdue investments in our county and its future." 

Delaware County Council joined members of Delaware County Emergency Services and numerous elected leaders to honor members of the Citizen Corps of Delaware County (CCDC) and the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) of Delaware County during a ceremony in Rose Tree Park on August 18. 

Volunteers from the CCDC and MRC and their families were invited to enjoy a night of live music, water ice, and refreshments. Members were recognized for their dedication to community service and were presented with a challenge coin and certificate of recognition.

“You have gone above and beyond in your efforts to serve your community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your selfless dedication to your community is to be commended EVERY day but serving during the midst of a pandemic even further shows your commitment to your fellow neighbors,” Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica said to the volunteers. “You are true front-line heroes. You answered the call to serve your community at a time when we needed it most.”

The Delaware County Citizen Corps and Medical Reserve Corps are comprised of volunteers from across the county, who work to support a broad range of emergency and disaster responses in Delaware County. Their mission is to improve the emergency preparedness, health, and safety of the residents of Delaware County.

Over the past two and a half years, they served at the County’s COVID-19 public testing sites, vaccine clinics, distributed PPE, volunteered at County sponsored food pick-up and distribution events, baby item drives, pet food and supply drives, the Alternative Care Site at the Glen Mills School, at Delco Strong events, and assisted in first responder refuge. 

Prior to the pandemic, approximately 500 volunteers were registered. At the height of the pandemic, there were close to 3,500 registered volunteers. 

“That is a testament to your immense dedication to your fellow neighbors. You answered the call and served our residents with patience and compassion. You are the definition of DELCO Strong,” Dr. Taylor told volunteers. 

Council also commended the County team who oversees and trains the CCDC and MRC. Many of whom have stepped up to provide training and guidance in addition to the work they do in their everyday roles with the County. 

More information on the Citizen Corps of Delaware County, including ways to get involved, can be found on the CCDC website.

Gathered members of the Delaware County Leadership Team, including members of County Council, the COVID-19 Task Force, the Department of Emergency Services, the Health Department, Board of Health, and the Citizen Corps and Medical Reserve Corps of Delaware County

Delaware County Vice Chair Elaine Schaefer presents an honorary resolution to 10-year old Mia Warren for creating and distributing inspirational cards to health care workers during the pandemic

Ed Kline, former CCDC Volunteer Management Coordinator, thanks the CCDC & MRC members in attendance after receiving an honorary resolution.

Wilbur Wolf, who helped to build, train, inspire, and empower both the Delaware County MCM Team and volunteer leadership programs, receives honorary resolution.

Delaware County's own AM Radio Tribute Band, inspired by the selflessness and hard work of the CCDC and MRC members, provided hours of free music throughout the evening.

Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor was invited to join State Senator Tim Kearney as a panelist at a “Reproductive Healthcare as a Human Right” event on August 18 at the Delaware County Intermediate Unit in Morton. She joined other panelists including representatives from the Foundation for Delaware County, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, Inc., and the Women's Centers to discuss the public health issues surrounding the Supreme Court’s recent ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade. 

The event provided a forum for community conversations surrounding this critical public health issue in the wake of the United State Supreme Court’s recent decision to retract access to abortion. Many states, including Pennsylvania, have become embroiled in legal battles to preserve reproductive rights. Recently, Governor Wolf filed a lawsuit to ensure that safe and accessible abortions remain legal in Pennsylvania.

Panelists presented information on what the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade means for Delaware County residents, highlighted reproductive rights resources in our area, and put out a call to action to the community. 

A resource guide regarding legalizing abortion can be found on Senator Kearney's website. 

The Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA), in collaboration with Crozer Health, is offering the evidence-based Healthy Steps program virtually for those 60 and older living in Delaware County. This program helps reduce fall risk by helping participants address fears while educating and equipping them with the right tools to make a difference in their lives.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that every 20 minutes an older adult in the U.S. dies from a fall, and that falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury. Research has found that adults who completed the Healthy Steps program lowered their risk of a fall significantly.

The Healthy Steps program will be held virtually on Zoom at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, September 15, and Friday September 16. All program costs, including the Healthy Steps workbook, are covered by COSA, so the program is FREE!

Registration is required, and class size is limited. 

To register, contact Ellen Williams by email at williamse@co.delaware.pa.us or by phone at (610) 499-1937. Registrants are asked to provide their name, address, phone number and email address.  

Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor, Councilwoman Christine Reuther, Councilman Richard Womack, Jr., and other elected officials joined SEPTA Board Chairman Pasquale T. Deon, Sr., SEPTA CEO & General Manager Leslie Richards, and Wawa President and CEO Chris Gheysens at a ribbon cutting ceremony held on August 18 to celebrate the opening of SEPTA’s new Wawa Station in Middletown Township.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was followed by tours of the facility, a visit from the Wawa mascot, Wally Goose, and the SEPTA mascot, Paws, and an inaugural train ride from the Wawa Station to Elwyn and back.

The new station, which serves as a 3.5-mile extension from the current terminus at Elwyn, marks the first expansion of SEPTA’s rail service since the Airport Line was established in 1985, and the first return of service to the area since the line, which once went to West Chester, was phased out beyond Elwyn in 1986.

The Wawa Station is located at 1490 W. Baltimore Pike, across from the Wawa Dairy that has served as a milk bottling and distribution center, adjacent to Wawa's corporate headquarters, for over 100 years. The station marks the location where Wawa would transfer milk brought in by horse and wagon to be transferred to the railroad for delivery into the city.

Efforts to restore rail service began over 20 years ago, involving numerous agencies, departments, and other entities, both public and private. Delaware County’s Planning Department, led by the late John Pickett from 1985 to 2013, and Tom Shaffer, the current Director and Transportation Manager, each advocated tirelessly for the restoration of service dating back to the 1990s and deserve much of the thanks for the new station.

“We are very excited to celebrate the opening of the beautiful new Wawa Station” said Dr. Taylor. “Good, reliable, and safe public transportation is vital to our community and this new station has been a significant project and will improve the lives of residents.”

The new station was also made possible by State Act 89, passed in 2013, that provided the necessary funding to enable construction. Act 89 also paid for major projects along the Media Elwyn line, including the Crum Creek viaduct. Without Act 89, the Media-Elwyn line was faced with elimination of service.

The station and the line will bear the Wawa name thanks to a 10-year, $5.4 million naming-rights agreement between SEPTA and Wawa.

Regular passenger service will begin on Sunday, August 21, and the public is invited for a Community Day on Monday, August 22, for free Wawa coffee in the morning (5:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.) and free Wawa iced teas in the afternoon (4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.). Wawa Station t-shirts will be given out to the first 100 morning commuters.

The new station is fully ADA accessible and can accommodate nearly 600 cars in the parking garage. SEPTA will run 19 inbound and 21 daily outbound trains daily and estimates the line will carry an additional 950 riders per day.

(L-R) Delaware County Councilwoman Christine Reuther, SEPTA CEO & General Manager Leslie Richards, Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor, Delaware County Councilman Richard Womack, Jr.

The Delaware County Women’s Commission hosted its annual retreat on August 7 in Media. 

During the annual retreat, the team discussed events and goals for the remainder of 2022 and for 2023 and members reflected on what being a part of the commission means to them personally. 

Founded in 1985, the Delaware County Women’s Commission serves as an advisory board to Delaware County Council on issues impacting women and girls in our county. Appointed by County Council, the mission of the fifteen-member commission is to broadly mirror the rich diversity of the county. The Commission studies current issues faced by women and girls and seeks to foster solutions and serve as a catalyst for change. 

Council is grateful to the Commission for their passion and dedication towards the advancement of Delaware County women and girls.

The Delaware County Women’s Commission meets on the first Thursday of the month and meetings are open to the public. More info can be found on the Women's Commission website.

Delaware County Council thanks the many residents, competitors, volunteers, staff members, and host locations that made the 2022 Delaware County Senior Games a success. 

The games, held from June 13 to June 24 at venues across the county, concluded with the traditional final day of track and field events held at Garnet Valley High School in Glen Mills. This year’s games featured 471 athletes, ages 51-94, competing in 12 different sports, including Bocce, Bowling (singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and team), Corn Hole, Golf (9 and 18 hole), Mini-Golf, Pickleball, Swimming, Shuffleboard, Table Tennis, Track and Field, and Wii Bowling.  

The total of 471 athletes represented a large increase from last year’s total of 331, a reduced number due in part to the limited nature of the 2021 games that were pared down to comply with COVID-19 guidance.

“Congratulations to this year’s participants. It was wonderful to attend the games and witness the camaraderie, athleticism and competition!” said Delaware County Vice Chair Elaine Schaefer. 

Delaware County has created a short video highlighting this year's games.

Press play to watch our short two-minute video re-capping the 2022 games!

Delaware County Council and the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) remind residents that Sunday, August 21, is National Senior Citizens Day—a day to let seniors in your life know how much you care and a great opportunity to recognize their accomplishments.

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed this holiday to raise awareness about issues that affect senior citizens and their quality of life.

4 Ways to Observe National Senior Citizens Day

1. Donate to a nursing/retirement home. One of the kindest and most rewarding things one can do is to donate essential goods or gifts to a nursing/retirement home. Give your nearest facility a call and ask them whether they have a shortage of anything. Or simply drop off some chocolates, juice boxes, or any other treats. You can really make a difference in someone’s life.
2. Reach out to a senior family member. Do you have a senior family member? Perhaps it’s a parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle. Visit them and spend some time together. If you can’t see them in person, don't text — call! Let them hear the warmth in your voice when you tell them how much you appreciate them.
3. Have fun! Are you a senior citizen yourself? Well, today is all about you! Live it up and treat yourself. Spend time with your favorite people, go shopping — do whatever you like. This could be the day you finally try that one thing you never have time for or perhaps it's a perfect day to chill at home. You’ve earned this time, so enjoy it!
4. Check out the many services and programs available through the COSA website. COSA provides a wealth of information, assistance, and services for seniors, including community-based long-term care services, such as adult day services, caregiver support, mental health counseling, protective services, home-delivered meals, senior centers and health and wellness programs and so much more. And COSA hosts the Delco Senior Games each summer, with over a dozen sports ranging from Bocce and Bowling, to Table Tennis and Track & Field!

In honor of the upcoming National Senior Citizen Day, please visit the COSA website for details of the many services provided to residents of Delaware County. 

Delaware County Govt Official 2022 Calendar

Meet your Delaware County Council members

The Delaware County Health Department website