In May, the Chester County Department of Emergency Services became the first county in Pennsylvania — and one of only 50 programs nationwide — to be granted full accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program, one of many honors the department has received in recent years.

Less than a month later, the department’s 17-year director, Ed Atkins, died, leaving a vacancy that the Chester County Commissioners announced on Monday, Dec. 8, had finally been filled. In naming Robert Kagel, formerly the department’s deputy director for emergency management, as Atkins’ replacement, the commissioners cited his history with the department.

“You were right there with him [Atkins],” said Commissioners’ Chairman Ryan Costello. “The safety of Chester County residents is one of our top priorities and this is an extremely important position in county government. We are fortunate to have someone with Bobby’s experience and professionalism take on the directorship role.”

Commissioner Kathi Cozzone said the county had received many “unsolicited recommendations” for Kagel. “Your reputation in the first-responder community is already a great one,” she said.

Commissioner Terence Farrell agreed, citing Kagel’s experience. “County residents deserve assurance that, in the event of an emergency, there is someone in leadership that can make the right decisions quickly,” Farrell said.

As deputy director for emergency management, Kagel was responsible for implementing the county’s comprehensive emergency management program. That involved coordinating with 73 municipal emergency managers, 45 police departments, 52 fire departments, 23 emergency medical service organizations, and numerous local, county, regional and state agencies on emergency management issues.

In addition, Kagel oversaw the county’s Hazardous Materials Response Team and the Department’s Exercise Development Team.

Before becoming deputy director, Kagel served as the assistant director for quality, where he was responsible for providing an objective review of all areas of the department, with specific focus on the 911 Operations Center.

Kagel, a nationally registered emergency medical technician and a volunteer firefighter, has experience in several Presidential disaster declarations. He responded to theWest Nickel Mines Amish School Shooting in Lancaster in October 2006 as well as the Coatesville arson spree.

In May 2003, Kagel was awarded the title of master exercise practitioner from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and in 2009, he earned the title of certified emergency manager from the International Association of Emergency Managers. Earlier this year, Kagel received the Harry Robidoux Memorial Award for Excellence in Emergency Management, presented by the Keystone Emergency Management Association.

Kagel graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in legal studies from the California University of Pennsylvania. He also holds an associate degree of applied science in Technical Studies: Emergency Management and Planning.

The commissioners expressed gratitude to John Haynes, the deputy director of 911 operations, who served as interim director for the past six months.