Connect with us
Flager & Associates , PC
lower bucks hospital

Cops, Courts & Fire - Yardley Borough

Commissioners ‘Break Ground’ on $1.8M Expansion of EOC, 911 Facility

Published

on

The Bucks County Commissioners on Thursday joined county Emergency Management officials to break ground on a $1.8 million modernization project at the county’s Emergency Services building in Ivyland.

Slated for completion next year, the enhancements will expand and update the existing Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to create a more efficient work environment optimized for modern disaster response.

“It became clear to all three commissioners early in the pandemic, when this building was ground zero for not just the disaster response, but also for a lot of our public messaging, that this facility badly needed some upgrades,” said county Commissioner Chair Bob Harvie. “Last summer’s flooding, tornadoes and hurricane only underscored that need.”

Bucks County Commissioners Office

When activated, the EOC serves as the county’s emergency response nerve center during response and recovery from disasters – both natural and manmade – that require the mobilization and coordination of multiple emergency services, government and nonprofit agencies.

Changes to the facility will triple available meeting spaces and update technology, allowing multiple teams working on different aspects of a disaster response to meet and coordinate simultaneously – including with county 911, as well as outside agencies – without disruption to other efforts.

Planned improvements also include a press briefing room and a designated space for fielding and responding to public inquiry.

“In retrospect it seems obvious that we might need a dedicated space to brief the media and the public, or that more than one team might need a meeting space at one time,” Harvie added. “But unfortunately, that capacity was lacking under this facility’s existing design.”

Construction costs for the project are budgeted at $1.38 million. Technology and security upgrades are estimated to cost another $385,000. The county is paying for the improvements with federal COVID relief and Homeland Security funds.

The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved funding for construction during its May 18 public meeting.

“Each and every service our staff provides from this building is critical to keeping Bucks County safe,” said Emergency Services Director Audrey Kenny. “The Commissioners’ continued investment in us, and shared commitment to our cause empowers our Emergency Services and Emergency Management teams to be the best in the business.”

Bucks County Commissioners Office

Construction is expected to last eight to 10 months, during which time the Emergency Operations Center will be housed within the Bucks County Health Department. To minimize disruption to 911 operations, the county’s emergency dispatchers will work out of an alternate facility in Doylestown.

The county has contracted with the following firms on this project: Holstein White, Inc. (Engineer); Matthew V. Piotrowski Architect, LLC (Architect); Magnum, Inc. (General Contractor); Palman Electric, Inc. (Electrical Contractor); Hirschberg Mechanical (Mechanical and Plumbing Contractor); Guy M. Cooper, Inc. (Fire Protection Contractor).

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Flager & Associates , PC
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cops

Emergency Crews Prepare for Incoming Blizzard as Lower Bucks Municipalities Declare Storm Plans

Published

on

Credit:: Veinna Carcel

Lower Bucks municipalities have declared disaster/snow emergencies in advance of the expected snow storm that the National Weather Service says will dump anywhere between 14 to 18 inches on the area.

A winter storm warning is still in effect from Sunday, Feb 22 to Monday, Feb 23.

Each municipality has its own link. For more information and updates, please click on their associated link.

Bensalem Township Disaster Emergency declared immediately for the pending snow storm. Click here to see more details.

Bristol Borough – Snow information/requirements have been posted on their website. Click here to see the details. 

Bristol Township – Snow Emergency effective 12 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 through 12 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Click here to see more details.

Falls Township – Snow Emergency starts Sunday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. and expires on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6 a.m. Click here for details.

Langhorne Borough – Snow Emergency starts Sunday, Feb. 22 at noon until Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. No parking. Click here for details.

Lower Makefield Township – Snow information has been posted on Meta. Click here to see the details.

Middletown TownshipSnow Emergency is in effect from Sunday, Feb. 22 at 12 p.m. to Monday, Feb. 23 at 12 p.m. . Click here to see details.

Flager & Associates , PC

Morrisville Borough Snow Emergency is in effect from Sunday, Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. to Monday, Feb. 23 at 5 p.m.  Click here to see the details.

Newtown Township –  A Snow Emergency is in effect from 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 until 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026.  Click here to see the details.

Penndel Borough – Snow Emergency has been declared from 12 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026, through 12 p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026. Click here for more details and click here for more on the ordinance.

Tullytown Borough – Snow Emergency proclamation in effect from Sunday Feb. 22 – 6 p.m. to Monday Feb. 23 – 6 p.m. Click here to see more details.

Warminster Township – Disaster Emergency has been declared for the incoming snow storm, effective Sunday  Feb. 22, 2026 at 12 p.m. through Tuesday, Feb. 24,2026 at 12 p.m..  Click here to see the details and click here to see the declaration from Township Manager Tom Scott.

Yardley Borough – Snow Emergency proclamation in effect from Sunday Feb. 22 – 4 p.m. to Monday Feb. 23 – 4 p.m. . Click here to see the details. and click here to see declaration/other information from Mayor Caroline Thompson.

The primary concern is safety.  Take care of yourselves and check on neighbors and those who may be vulnerable.

Please stay safe, take all necessary precautions, and keep your devices charged.

Click here for updates from the National Weather Service 

Click here for PECO’s outage map.

 

Continue Reading

Cops

Buyers Beware: Thieves Are Using Social Media to Sell Stolen Vehicles, Cops Say

Published

on

By

Police across the commonwealth are warning consumers looking to purchase vehicles online about an uptick in reports in which thieves are using social media based sites to sell stolen vehicles.

Police departments across  Pennsylvania are seeing an uptick of cases in which criminals are using channels like Facebook Marketplace to sell stolen vehicles, often with counterfeit titles or falsified paperwork, law enforcement officials say.

At least one investigator reported, investigators say, that of the vehicles recovered, almost none of them exhibit signs of tampering or damage.

Be cautious and help protect yourself:

  • Verify Vehicle History: Always check the vehicle identification number (VIN) and run a full vehicle history report.
  • Avoid Cash-Only Transactions: Use traceable payment methods and meet sellers in safe, public locations.
  • Inspect Carefully: Look for signs of tampering and never buy a car without confirming its ownership and documentation.

And always remember, authorities say,  if something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts. Stay alert, stay safe, and don’t let a quick deal turn into a costly mistake.

Continue Reading

Cops

DA-Elect Khan Prepares to Take Office; Transition Team to Seek Community Input

Published

on

District Attorney-elect Joe Khan earlier this month formally announced the launch of his Transition Committee.

Khan thanked outgoing District Attorney Jennifer Schorn for her support during this process.

For the remainder of 2025, the Transition Committee will advise Khan as he prepares to take the oath of office in January, a transition team spokesman said.

“In 2026, the committee will reorganize and seek community input for reforms that can be recommended to Khan during his first 120 days in Office. The Committee will conclude its work by assessing and reporting on the status of any recommended actions and strategies,” officials said in a release.be

Last week Khan announced Brendan Flynn (Chief of Staff) Kristin McElroy (Chief Deputy District Attorney) and Elizabeth Oquendo (First Chief of Civil Enforcement) would be joining his team.

“Brendan’s life in public service began at age 18 when he was sworn in at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and has included service as a homicide prosecutor in Philadelphia and as an aide to then-Congressman Patrick Murphy in Bucks County. I’ve worked with Brendan to resolve high stakes matters over the last few years and I can’t wait for him to step into this critical new role serving and protecting our community!,” said Khan.

Flynn also co-chairs the transition team.

Credit: Submitted

“KMac” is an exceptional public servant who has dedicated her career to protecting the most vulnerable in Bucks County. Her integrity, energy and work ethic will set the standard of excellence in this exciting next chapter of the DA’s Office!,” the DA elect said.

“Oquendo will be returning to Bucks from the PA Attorney General’s Office, where she has enforced consumer protection laws to keep us safe from unscrupulous business practices. I am so excited to work with Elizabeth again!,” Khan said.

“I’m blown away by the talent and wisdom of these legal superstars and grateful for their counsel as we equip the DA’s Office to address the 21st century challenges facing crime victims, working families, and our environment,” the DA-Elect said.

Khan was elected District Attorney this past November earning 54% of the vote, winning more votes than any candidate for this office in the history of Bucks County, according to his transition team.

Continue Reading

SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to our newsletter today to receive a daily email digest of our recent stories.

Categories

Trending