Chester County, Pa. Gets Federal Funding For Emergency Generators
By Tim Jimenez
WEST CHESTER, Pa. (CBS) -- Chester County officials say that, thanks to a grant from the federal government, they'll be a little more prepared going into this winter season.
Getting around in the snow and ice is tricky enough, but when the lights are out, the danger level rises.
After after last winter, says Robert Kagel, Chester County's deputy director for emergency management, county residents know this too well.
"One of the big problems was the fact that traffic lights were also out," he recalls. "Once debris was cleared from roadways and power remained out, traffic lights were still out, making travel hazardous."
And so, with the help of a Homeland Security grant (Urban Area Security Initiative -- UASI) worth $205,000, the county is getting emergency generators to power traffic lights: 188 generators for 37 municipalities and West Chester University.
Kagel says that means there will be safer travels for crews and the public.
"That's less people that have to man the traffic lights. Less people -- fire, police, volunteers -- that have to go out. That's less accidents," he said today.
The cost of the generators are covered by the grant, but the municipalities will have to pay for fuel and maintenance.
"It's National Preparedness Month," notes Kagel, "so this was a perfect segue to being prepared for the potential winter that's ahead of us."