Remembering Robert Full, man who helped create Allegheny Co. 911 system

PITTSBURGH — A longtime member of local fire departments and county and state agencies died Friday. Robert Full helped created the Allegheny County 911 system along with advancing other areas of public safety as technology continued to improve.

He was 65 and lived with his wife, Geri, in Swisshelm Park since 1983. He had a daughter, a son and three grandchildren.

You can customize your WPXI News App to receive alerts for news stories. CLICK HERE to find out how.

Friends are welcome Tuesday, July 21 from 5-8 p.m. and Wednesday, July 22 from 12-8 p.m. at Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home & Crematory, 1111 Monroeville Ave., Turtle Creek, PA 15145. A Public Safety Service will be held on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Due to current restrictions, the funeral home is limited to 25 visitors in the building at one time. The funeral home staff will be directing visitors upon entry. Masks are required.    

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, July 23 at 10 a.m. in St. Maurice Church, St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 2001 Ardmore Boulevard in Forest Hills. St. Maurice Church is limited to 130 occupancy.

Full’s family sent Channel 11 a statement:

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Full on July 17, 2020. He dedicated his entire life to public service, serving as a lifelong volunteer fireman and working in public safety for the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He will be deeply missed by his wife, children and grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have yet to be finalized.”

County Executive Rich Fitzgerald issued a statement in remembrance:

“I am saddened to hear tonight of the passing of Bob Full. Chief Full was a true public servant who dedicated his life to public safety and the protection of the community he called home, and the people he called friends and neighbors. We were fortunate that Allegheny County was that place.

“During his tenure with the county, Chief Full’s leadership was instrumental in the consolidation of the many public safety answering points throughout the county. His work led to the creation of the Allegheny County 9-1-1 Center, the state-of-the-art facility that millions of people rely on today. His leadership moved this region forward at a critical time. My condolences to his family and friends on their loss.”

Chief Matt Brown of Allegheny County Emergency Services extended his sympathy:

“I had the great opportunity of knowing Chief Full through many interactions. Like so many others that we serve with, he will always be ‘Chief Full.’ He was so influential in our county, region, and state as a leader with great vision and true understanding of all levels of public safety. Our county and regional public safety experiences have all been impacted positively by Chief Full’s input and direction in some way.

“Throughout my services to ACES and Allegheny County, I have kept in touch with Chief Full. I’ve always believed that it is important to know where we came from in order to truly understand where we are headed. I shared with Chief Full often that the steps we were taking with ACES were just the next phase of the department that he started. It is his work that led to the great reputation that we have nationwide as one of the leading elements of public safety in the nation.

“I will miss his friendship, guidance, wisdom and insight. Our prayers are with Chief Full and his family.”

Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Assistant Chief Norman Auvil remembered Full as a close friend:

“He was absolutely focused on the mission at hand,” Auvil said. “Rescue, HazMat, EMS Medicine—he wanted nothing more than the best training and the best equipment for the people under his command. ... He was sincere. Quiet. Totally dedicated to whatever he was doing. He was just a good guy—one of those guys. You know, we all have priorities in life. Despite everything he accomplished in life, his priority was always his family.”

“Bob Full was a leader in the city, county and state who was always an advocate for EMS and Public Safety,” EMS Chief Ronald Romano added. “He helped shape Rescue services and Hazard Materials training. He was an important figure who oversaw many advances in Public Safety.”

Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said Full was also a close friend:

“Bob was a mentor and a teacher to me,” Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said. “I’ve known Bob since I started my Public Safety career with Forest Hills in 1978. He was a leader. He was a well-known instructor in firefighting, rescue, and hazmat throughout the region. Bob Full was an incredible ally of Public Safety.”

Multiple fire departments battling flames at facility in Beaver County Multiple fire departments battling flames at facility in Beaver County

Cox Media Group