Jeff Parish retires as county public safety director, Chad Strobel appointed interim director

NEW CASTLE — After more than 20 years of service to the county, Jeff Parish has officially announced his retirement as Lawrence County public safety director, effective Feb. 4.

County commissioners agreed to accept Parish’s retirement and to subsequently appoint Chad Strobel, who was the deputy public safety director, as interim public safety director.

Parish was first hired by the county on Oct. 15, 2001.

Commissioners Board Chairman Morgan Boyd said Parish was a “top-tier” department head, whose leadership allowed the county to navigate through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the board of commissioners wouldn’t have been able to deal with the pandemic if it weren’t for Parish.

Commissioner Dan Vogler said Parish has done an outstanding job in his role, with a great work ethic, skill and knowledge, and is someone who is well respected not just throughout the county, but throughout the region.

Vogler said he has accomplished many things throughout his tenure, but he said the most important project he was a part of was the construction of the Department of Public Safety building in Hickory Township, and the expansion of communication towers and equipment.

“Your department can touch every citizen of the county,” he said.

Both Boyd and Vogler said they have full confidence in Strobel and the work he will do as interim public safety director, with Vogler stating it will be a “seamless and flawless transition.”

Nuclear plant plan readopted

The commissioners agreed to readopt the Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency Emergency Operations Plan for Nuclear Power Plant Incidents, which is done every two years.

The plan is in place to take in residents from Beaver County, in the event of a disaster incident at the Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Station in Shippingport.

Strobel said under the plan, Lawrence County would take in around 3,300 residents from northern Beaver County to the Mohawk High School gymnasium to get tested or get decontaminated, and then have them be sent to the American Red Cross.

Students from three northern Beaver County school districts would be temporarily taught at the Union Area School District.

Strobel said they hope to never have to use the plan, but said he is glad it is in place and said the county will have a drill exercise of an emergency nuclear situation in June.

Nicholas Vercilla is a staff reporter for the Beaver County Times and Ellwood City Ledger. He can be reached at nvercilla@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ellwood City Ledger: Jeff Parish retires as Lawrence County public safety director