Jefferson Hills Emergency Services
As 2024 draws to a close , the Borough reflects on the dedication and hard work of our local emergency services . Their commitment to public safety and community engagement continues to be essential to our borough ’ s well-being . The Jefferson Hills Police Department ( JHPD ), Jefferson Hills Fire Rescue ( JHFR ), and Southeast Regional EMS ( SEREMS ) have once again demonstrated outstanding service throughout the year , handling a wide range of challenges with professionalism and care .
Jefferson Hills Police Department : Keeping Our Community Safe
A Year in Review
The JHPD , under the leadership of Chief Ronald Dziezgowski Jr ., is committed to serving the community with integrity , professionalism , and compassion . With a dedicated team of 21 full-time officers , the JHPD provides 24-hour law enforcement coverage , ensuring the safety and security of Jefferson Hills . JHPD ' s mission focuses on equitable law enforcement and proactive crime prevention , supported by specialized divisions for patrol , traffic , investigations , and administration . In 2024 , the department responded to over 6,300 service calls , issued 1640 traffic citations , and reported 108 crashes , demonstrating their commitment to public safety .
To enhance their skills , JHPD officers participated in five annual training sessions , including Municipal Police Officer Education and Training Certification , Firearms Qualification , Use of Force Recertification , First Aid / AED Training , and Defensive Tactics Training . Additionally , officers pursued ongoing professional development through various specialized training programs , equipping them to handle calls with expertise and confidence .
In recognition of their excellence in 2024 , the JHPD received the FBI LEEDA Trilogy Award , highlighting their commitment to leadership development , as well as the AAA Community Platinum Traffic Safety Award .
For more information about the JHPD and to access month-bymonth detailed reports , visit jeffersonhillsboro . org / Police . aspx .
Jefferson Hills Fire Rescue : Always Ready , Always There
JHFR is committed to delivering exceptional fire and rescue services to our community and its visitors . In 2024 , JHFR responded to 784 emergency calls , achieving an average response time of 6 minutes and 58 seconds .
Training remains central to their mission , with JHFR ’ s 60 active firefighters dedicating 1,531 hours to advancing skills in areas such as rope rescue , specialized vehicle rescue , and water rescue . This year , ten members completed EMT certification , and the water rescue team earned 2A recertification with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission .
To support the department , visit the Jefferson Hills Fire Rescue Facebook page , which features fundraising tip boards with fantastic prizes and packages .
Southeast Regional EMS : Delivering Lifesaving Care
SEREMS is dedicated to providing both Advanced and Basic Life Support , ensuring timely and high-quality medical care for all residents and visitors . With a mission to deliver quality , prompt medical assistance , SEREMS has evolved from its origins as a volunteer service in the 1970s into a professional organization serving multiple communities , including Jefferson Hills , Clairton , West Elizabeth , Union Township , Elizabeth Borough , Elizabeth Township , Forward Township , Lincoln Borough , and Liberty Borough , collectively caring for a population of around 45,000 people .
Under the leadership of Chief Doug Pascoe , SEREMS is staffed by 50 full-time and 16 part-time employees , responding to an average of 12,000 calls annually . In 2024 , over 2,900 of those calls were within Jefferson Hills . The organization operates 12 Advanced Life Support ambulances , three Advanced Life Support squads , and a special operations vehicle , ensuring 24 / 7 coverage across three locations . Jefferson Hills serves as the operational hub , while Elizabeth Township functions as the administrative center .
In addition to emergency response , SEREMS boasts its own training center , offering biannual EMT classes , as well as courses in CPR , First Aid , Advanced Cardiac Life Support , and Pediatric Advanced Life Support . In 2024 alone , SEREMS trained over 2,000 individuals in CPR .
SEREMS has received accolades for its dedication to excellence , achieving Gold Standard recognition in Cardiac and Stroke Care from the American Heart Association and Master recognition in Pediatric Care from the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Council .
As part of their commitment to maintaining high standards , SEREMS faces significant operational costs . Did you know that a new ambulance costs approximately $ 240,000 , with an additional $ 120,000 required for essential equipment , including a cardiac monitor that costs $ 50,000 ? Supporting ongoing efforts and essential purchases like these is possible by subscribing to the 2024-2025 ambulance service at serems . com .
These departments exemplify the highest standards of public service , and we are grateful for their tireless efforts in keeping our community safe . Their dedication reminds us of how fortunate we are to have such committed first responders serving Jefferson Hills every day .
Note : The 2024 statistics mentioned in this article reflect data from January to October 2024 .
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