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BELLEFONTE -- It's hard to imagine today, but in the early 1990s, dialing 911 was not an option in many parts of the United States. Instead, citizens were left scrambling to remember and dial local seven-digit numbers in their most desperate moments.
June 1, 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the implementation of the countywide 911 Emergency Communications System in Centre County. At their Tuesday meeting, Commissioners recognized all four of the emergency communications directors that helped establish the 911 system Centre County residents rely on today. They included Elwood Williams (director from 1994-1998), Dan Tancibock (director from 1998-2014), Dale Neff (director from 2014-2020) and Norm Spackman (director from 2020-present).
Countywide 911 service went live in June 1994. That first day dispatchers handled 83 calls. Today they routinely answer 200 to 300 calls per day.
In 2023, dispatchers answered 38,000 emergency phone calls and 92,000 nonemergency calls. Over the course of the year they processed roughly 136,000 incidents, coordinating for each an appropriate response alongside the 89 different partnering emergency services agencies they interface with.
Current Emergency Communications Director Norman Spackman II introduced the former directors and explained the evolution of the county's emergency response system.
"911 continues to see technology change rapidly with the evolution we see with internet and wireless technologies daily in today's world. Centre County's efforts to keep up with technology over the years has positioned us well for the changes we continue to see," said Spackman.
The office's first Director, Elwood William, who is credited alongside his then assistant director Dan Tancibock for launching the countywide emergency response system, said that before the era of computer aided dispatch, cell phone tracing and digital maps constantly updated with geographic information systems (GIS) data, it was not uncommon for dispatchers to rely on paper maps without street addresses, labeled with notes like "Mr. Smith's red barn."
"This project was not easy, with many obstacles and hurdles, but [William's] determination started the countywide system we have today," said Spackman.
"Today we're fortunate to have all the former 911 directors with us. I'd like to recognize these former directors for their contributions that helped get us where we are today," he said. "These guys that worked here before me laid the groundwork for a strong 911 system, and I can't over emphasize that."
Emergency services as they exist in the county today would not exist without the initiatives championed by the Centre County Emergency Communications Center (CCECC) and made possible by vendors, consultants, county staff, the county emergency management agency and the Centre County GIS team. Under the leadership of Williams, Tancibock, Neff and Spackman the entire county was mapped by address, dispatch became computer operated, radio coverage was significantly expanded, new fire and police protocols were implemented and a new dispatch center was created.
In 2018, the CCECC also joined the Southern Alleghenies 911 Cooperative, an agreement amongst Bedford, Blair, Fulton, Huntingdon, Cambria, Somerset and Centre County to work collaboratively to enhance operational capabilities and cost savings related to the emergency communications infrastructure in the region.
"What we've heard here today speaks to the technical expertise and keeping up with the latest technology that is making our system so much more responsive and accurate for citizens in Centre County. And you know that is something that saves lives," said Centre County Commissioner Amber Concepcion.
CCECC is actively recruiting people who are interested in joining the ranks as 911 dispatchers. People who are interested in positions as a 911 dispatcher are encouraged to find more information and apply on Centre County Government's website: www.centrecountypa.gov. According to commissioners, once employed, 911 dispatchers get to undergo training and enjoy competitive insurance and retirement benefits.
"We'd like to thank the former directors, former employees, current employees, former Boards of Commissioners and, of course, the state Legislature for the 911 fee on the phone lines that helps pay for a good portion of the service," said Commissioner Mark Higgins speaking on behalf of the board.
In other business:
-- Approved the installation of a new Veri-Green exhaust fan at the Centre County Correctional Facility.
-- Assumed the role as applicant for the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology Health Sciences Building Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program Grant.
-- Approved a 16-month time extension for Larson Design Group to finish construction consultation and structure design review for the replacement of the Mill St. bridge in Howard and the Railroad St. bridge in Bellefonte.
-- Approved routine contracts.
-- Acceptance of grant funding from the 2024 Election Security Grant Program, part of the Help America Vote Act to support the county with the upcoming presidential election.