The Officers and Members of the First West Chester Fire Company extend their heartfelt condolences to the Atkins family and the Chester County Department of Emergency Services on the passing of Edward ‘Ed’ Atkins, Director of the Chester County Department of Emergency Services. Director Atkins was a true leader, colleague, and friend to everyone involved in emergency services in Chester County. He will be deeply missed by his "5,000 friends", who will always remember and live up to the legacy which he leaves behind.

Below is an article from the Daily Local News:

Michael N Price, DLN

WEST CHESTER — A day after the passing of County Department of Emergency Services Director Ed Atkins, those who worked with him remembered the retired Air Force Colonel as a man who pioneered a new era of emergency services in the county.

Atkins, who led the county department for 17 years, passed away at the age of 64 on Monday evening after a brief illness. On Monday night Chester County Commissioners Chair Ryan Costello issued a statement confirming Atkins’ death and remembering him as a man who oversaw vast improvements in county-provided emergency services.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Ed Atkins. Ed was a pioneer in guiding Chester County into a new era of 911 and emergency services,” Costello’s statement said. “In the 17 years that he led the Department of Emergency Services, his passion helped to position public safety as one of the highest rated services available to our citizens.”

Atkins took the helm of the department in 1997, and during his time in command he ushered the agency into the modern era, piloting programs that improved the county’s emergency training facilities, its radio communication system and much more.

“His determination and dedication to the development of the Public Safety Training Campus, the County’s Strategic National Stockpile program, and the implementation of the new radio communication system earned our tremendous respect, as well as the respect of his staff, first responders, county work colleagues, and his emergency management colleagues in the region, the state and nationwide,” Costello said on behalf of himself and other county commissioners, Kathi Cozzone and Terence Farrell.

At Tuesday’s meeting all three commissioners expressed condolences to both Atkins’ family and to the employees of the Department of Emergency Services.

Other county officials also spoke out about Atkins’ passing on Tuesday. Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan remembered him as a friend to law enforcement and a calming presence during hectic times.

“Col. Atkins was a good friend to Chester County law enforcement,” Hogan said. “He understood the needs of the cop on the street and always worked with us to make sure that everybody went home safely at the end of the day. Personally, I will miss his dry wit and constant sense of calm in the midst of every storm.”

Raymond Stackhouse, president of the Chester County Fire Chiefs Association, said Atkins’ presence would be missed in the county’s emergency services community for a long time, if not indefinitely.

“The passing of Director Atkins marks a sad day for all emergency service organizations. His tireless devotion to improving the delivery of up to date, timely and professional service to the citizens and responders in Chester County was an inspiration to us all,” Stackhouse said. “While his legacy will surely continue through those that he mentored, guided and led throughout his tenure here in Chester County, the void left behind by his passing will not soon be filled, if ever.”

George “Beau” Crowding, deputy director of fire services for the county’s department of emergency services, said Atkins’ lasting legacy would be the way he worked with those under his command, always creating an atmosphere that allowed others to feel comfortable in offering input on important decisions.

“Ed was a visionary leader that directed emergency services in a fashion that allowed input from all parties involved – his success was based on consensus building. His vision will live on in those projects that have been completed and those currently underway, Ed has given us the tools to succeed and we will. The legacy of Director Atkins will continue well into the future,” Crowding said.

Atkins spent 26 years in the United States Air Force before joining the county’s emergency services department. During his time in the military he distinguished himself as an aviator, instructor, strategic planner, program manager and commander. He was also a distinguished graduate of the US Air Force Command and Staff College, National Defense University Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the USAF Weapons Instructor School.

Atkins is survived by his wife Ann and their five children. Funeral services have not yet been announced.