Local counties are reporting a shortage of emergency dispatchers

PITTSBURGH — Almost every county in Southwestern Pennsylvania is reporting a shortage of 911 dispatchers.

This is not only affecting centers locally, but nationwide. It’s a serious issue and the big question is: will your call be answered right away?

Dispatch centers are doing everything they can to answer every emergency call, but said more workers are needed.

Right now local 911 call centers are preparing for more emergency calls to come in as remnants of Tropical Storm Ida are expected to hit the area. Butler’s 911 call center is reporting toruble filling some part-time positions.

“Specifically we are looking for a small subset of individuals who can multitask that have a history and a background in public safety and really able to handle the stress from going zero to sixty in a short period of time,” Butler County 911 Coordinator Rob McLafferty said.

In Mercer and Armstrong counties they are short staffed too, so employees are having to work overtime to make sure every call is picked up.

“We certainly have folks who are willing to pick up extra overtime but occasionally it comes to the point where they are forced to work overtime,” McLafferty said.

Westmoreland County just had a big push for hiring and plan to train more than a dozen people soon. But training takes several weeks.

Usually it takes years to become a full-time operator but in Beaver County, some newly trained folks are starting out full-time versus part-time.

Over in Fayette County they are trying to stay afloat with minimum staff, with a decrease in the number of applications during the COVID pandemic, much like Allegheny County.

The chief of emergency services in Allegheny County says many veteran workers are leaving as other employers are offering competitive wages and daylight job opportunities.

Fortunately every county reported that the shortage has not delayed or impacted emergency response.

However, with Ida moving into the region, all centers are monitoring the ever-changing situation. Right now the 911 call center in Butler County and those in surrounding areas are keeping a close eye on the forecast, and could bring in extra staff depending on the situation and needed response.

“Like everyone else we are monitoring the situation, our water rescue team which is an internationally recognized team is on standby already,” McLafferty said.

Mom saves son from mountain lion attack with her bare hands (NCD)

©2021 Cox Media Group