Potter Co. beefs up 911 system

Major steps are being taken to improve the 911-based emergency communications system in Potter County.

The county continues a cooperative arrangement with Tioga County, through which calls for fire, ambulance, police and other response services are fielded by a dispatch center in Wellsboro.

At this week's meeting, the Potter County Board of Commissioners expanded the staff of the county's Emergency Management Department. John Hetrick, who has served for more than 20 years, was promoted to a new position of E911 deployment coordinator. His new salary is $56,000.

The commissioners also hired Jim Steiner of Coudersport as emergency management coordinator, at an annual salary of $30,000.

All votes were unanimous by Commissioners Ken Wingo, John Torok and Cathy Bowers, along with County Treasurer Krista Miller, functioning as the county's four-member salary board.

Funds for the personnel, as well as improvements to the emergency communications equipment throughout the county, have been made available from the state through a fee placed on residential and business telephone services.

Commissioner Wingo pointed out that Potter County is converting from an outdated analog communications system to a more modern digital system, which accommodates both voice and data traffic. The new system provides broader coverage and meets state standards, he added.