West Penn Township first responders have been very busy.

There were many updates and personnel announcements at Tuesday night’s board of supervisors meeting.

Tropical depression Ida created a lot of work for West Penn fire Chief Jeff Bradford’s team after the storm caused local havoc last week.

“First of all, thank you to the community for being patient with us the other night,” Bradford said. “We did almost 20 cellar pump-outs. Some people had 2 or 3 feet of water in their basements. We moved around as fast as we could.”

Bradford said there were many trees and wires down in the township and his crew was busy until 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning after the storm.

“We got there as quick as we could,” Bradford added.

Personnel changes involving the township’s fire company, police department and ambulance association were announced at Tuesday’s meeting.

Fire company

Connor Evans will remain an assistant fire chief with West Penn. But in addition to his current duties, the board approved him as the township’s new emergency management coordinator. The title was previously held by former police Chief Brian Johnson, who retired in August.

In other company news, Bradford said the organization’s yearly fund drive letter is out. There will also be a community breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday.

Police department

After Johnson’s retirement from the township police department, officer James Bonner was named officer in charge.

More help is on the way for the department, as the board of supervisors approved the hiring of part-time police officer Marcos Duarte.

In a letter to the board, Bonner said Duarte was formerly employed by the township’s police department and left to finish school.

Penn Mahoning Ambulance

Board chairman Tony Prudenti said Penn Mahoning Ambulance President Val Coombe has resigned.

“I will be reaching out to her and thanking her,” Prudenti said. “Between Donnie and her, they made the department what it is today up to this point.”

“We’re very lucky to have Jeff Bachman as the new president and Samantha Parker as the vice president. I just hope it keeps going like it was in the past. It’s great to have new blood, different ideas and fresh things.”

The changes were made at the organization’s monthly meeting. Parker said there have been over 250 dispatched calls to date.

“We’re always looking for more EMRs and EMTs,” Parker said.

The next regularly scheduled board of supervisors meeting is set for Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. A budget meeting will immediately follow.