Chester County Releases County Pipeline Incident Annex

The Chester County Department of Emergency Services (CCDES) is proud to announce the publication of the Chester County Pipeline Incident Annex for public viewing. This document serves as a hazard-specific annex to the Chester County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and was designed to promote and assist in providing safety and security to Chester County citizens so they can work, live, and grow in a healthy and safe community.

The plan was developed through a collaborative and structured planning process involving municipalities, emergency responders, utility companies, and key stakeholders across Chester County. It outlines the County's approach to preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation for pipeline emergencies, particularly those involving Highly Volatile Liquid (HVL) pipelines, and aligns with existing county and municipal emergency operations plans.

Municipal participation was central to the plan's development, with numerous planning meetings being held with municipalities. These meetings supported the creation of 11 individual municipal-level plans.

To further strengthen preparedness in Chester County, CCDES developed numerous emergency plan templates to help healthcare and educational facilities plan for a pipeline incident.

Throughout 2024 and 2025, CCDES conducted four (4) tabletop exercises, two (2) functional exercises, and one (1) capstone full-scale exercise, all designed to validate and strengthen the plan. These activities helped to ensure that Chester County, first responders, municipalities, utility companies, and community partners are effectively prepared for a pipeline emergency.

This plan will be reviewed on an annual basis by CCDES Staff, and updated versions of the plan will be published as they are approved by the Director of the Department of Emergency Services.

Further information on pipelines in Chester County can be found at the Chester County Planning Commission's Pipeline Information Center.