Throughout the day, Mayor McDonald and I constantly monitored the Corinavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic news and discussed different ways to keep our community as safe as possible.

Tonight I called a meeting with local police chiefs, fire chiefs, emergency medical services providers, Bradford Area School administration, Bradford Regional Medical Center Administration and McKean County Emergency Management Agency administration.  This meeting was called to discuss making sure we have a solid plan concerning the Corinavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Present at the meeting were representatives from The City of Bradford Police Department, Bradford Township Police Department, Foster Township Police Department,  University of Pittsburg at Bradford Police Department, Port Allegany Police Department, Bradford City Fire Department / Bradford City Ambulance, Bradford Area Transport Service, Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department, Derrick City Fire Department, Rew Fire Department, Lewis Run Fire Department, Bradford Area School District.  Emergency Management and BRMC representatives declined the meeting (hopefully they will change their minds in the future).   

We discussed many topics of concern with this pandemic, with the primary topic being our agencies working together as a team, with a joint response if needed.  Together we all reviewed the Center for Disease Control recommendations and had an open discussion about the possible community problems and how to appropriately address them if they arise.  This was a productive meeting attempting to addressing the “what if’s”.  We collectively recognize this is a situation we need to watch closely and continue to prepare for, with the hopes that this pandemic skips our community.

Going forward we would like our community to know we are taking this threat serious and our departments will continue to work together to ensure the best possible outcome. We will be having future meetings to keep all departments up to date on prevention technique and public safety concerns.

We are asking that the public work with us and follow all Center for Disease Control recommendations, all health department recommendations, call your Primary Care Physician if you have any symptoms, limit your travel out of the area, and keep your children at home to limit exposure.

Thank you,

Chief Bartlett - City of Bradford Police