By Rich Cholodofsky, Tribune-Review
Original publication date: July 29, 2011

WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — Westmoreland County and two of its neighbors won’t have to pick up the tab on implementation of a new switching system for the 911 emergency dispatch system, and as a result, each will save nearly $1 million.

Westmoreland commissioners on Thursday rescinded a $933,000 contract with Motorola awarded in December to upgrade the dispatch system and install new equipment that would enable emergency calls from Armstrong and Indiana counties to be routed and processed through the county’s 911 center.

The $2.8 million project was to be split evenly among all three counties.

The project will now be funded exclusively from federal and state grants secured by Region 13, a consortium of public safety departments in western Pennsylvania.

“It’s money we don’t need to spend, and we’re glad to save it,” said Commissioner Ted Kopas.

The county allocated the money for the switching project in the 2011 budget. That money will now be added to the county’s general fund, which this year projects a $23 million surplus.

Westmoreland officials last year decided to replace outmoded equipment in its 911 center and agreed to install the costly switching system after commissioners in Armstrong and Indiana counties each agreed to chip in a third of the cost.

Armstrong and Indiana officials last year said they would participate in the plan as a cost savings effort. Both counties are transitioning their 911 systems to high-frequency 800 megahertz channels and would have been required to purchase their own 911 equipment without the joint effort with Westmoreland.

Call centers will remain open in all three counties.The computer switching system will automatically transfer calls to emergency dispatchers stationed in each county.

The move will enable Westmoreland County to serve as a regional hub for 911 service. 

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