Somerset County joining new 911 system

SOMERSET, PA — Somerset County is one of nine counties in southwestern Pennsylvania joining together to establish a new Internet-based 911 emergency services network.

The new system, which will be a joint effort of Armstrong, Butler, Lawrence, Fayette, Indiana, Mercer, Greene, Somerset and Westmoreland counties, will ultimately reduce costs by sharing resources, as well as sharing information and situational awareness.

“These counties are leading the way in Pennsylvania by establishing a model that we will duplicate across the state,” Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Glenn Cannon said in a written statement.

Richard B. Lohr, director of Somerset County emergency management, said the county’s 911 switch, which controls calls, is nine years old.

“It’s antiquated,” Lohr said. “Other counties are in the same situation. Rather than spending a half-million, and other counties having to do the same, we can buy two switches to service all nine counties. We can save money and make things better by sharing within a region.”

This is just the first step in a process that will take place over time, Lohr said. Counties could also step in to help other counties when there is a disaster. The change will ultimately provide the foundation to increase services to those with special needs, Cannon said. The hearing-impaired community, for example, can communicate through texting and messaging, which is something the current 911 system cannot support.

“This represents the way ahead,” said Wes Hill, chairman of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Task Force (PA Region 13). “Currently, our counties do not have systems that can talk with each other or with devices other than a standard telephone — and this will change that.”

When comparing the cost of replacing the systems now in use or investing in the next generation 911 systems, Cannon said the state can save more than $13 million by investing in a more efficient method of communication.

The requirements for the newer system are now being assessed, along with the needs of the counties. The design phase will start in early 2012, with the counties transitioning to the new system next fall.

“We want to keep as modern and as up-to-date as possible,” Lohr said.

Read the story here.

Related Stories

• No Related Post