Tonight we learned that the Director of the Chester County Emergency Services Colonel Edward (Ed) Atkins passed away. Director Atkins passed away suddenly and unexpectedly after an onset of a brief illness.

Director Atkins came to Chester County in 1997 after being selected by the County Commissioners to lead the Department of Emergency Services out of a time of difficulty. Director Atkins had served 26 years with the United States Air Force and was retired as a Colonel.

The Colonel came to DES with a vision and a mission, first was to clean up the department which was left in a state of disarray after management changes. Second move the department ahead keeping up with the changing emergency services environment. Director Atkins rose to this challenge by believing in the staff and providing the needed support and guidance to carry out his mission of improving the department. The Colonel was always one to find creative ways to empower the members of DES to be the best they could be. One of the latest ways was the accreditation of the Counties Emergency Management. Again, just another way he wanted to make sure we were on the cutting edge.

Director Atkins was a believer in the Emergency Services systems, he was often found standing behind changes to ensure the safety and operations of not only the 911 center and radio systems but all of the services that the department provided.

Some of the success stories of Director Atkins can been seen as the current radio system which he fought long and hard to ensure that the system works and was instrumental in the new radio system currently being designed for install slated for next year. Also in the works are major changes in the 911 center which recently included the upgrade of our 911 phone system and currently under construction our new Computer Aided Dispatch which will move us into the Next Generation 911.

Another one of his accomplishments was the Public Training Center which by next year will be a true reality. Currently the Academic building in South Coatesville has been open and providing training for the county’s emergency services. By late this year or early next year the tactical village will be opened.

Then let us not forget that he believed so strongly in the fire service that there was never a fire graduation ceremony that he would miss

As you can see the Director was a man with a true passion for providing the best services from Emergency Services to the residents in Chester County.

The members and officers of the Modena Fire Company offer our condolences to his wife and his family during this time of loss.

Colonel We’ll take it from here Sir, you rest easy as you will forever be in our hearts and our minds