by Jonathan Weaver
A July prison break has caused County officials and local residents to brainstorm ways to warn residents of any danger or emergency.
One of those suggestions – an emergency alert telephone call system – will be on-display Monday night at the Belmont Complex.
County 9-1-1 Director Ron Bausert worked on a sub-committee this past Spring consisting of several counties (known as Region 13) to enable the public safety warning region-wide.
“Region 13 already uses a component of what they’re going to sell us – (Armstrong County) doesn’t have everything; we have a portion the region purchased for us,” Bausert said. “After extensive reviews with vendors, conference calls and demos, the sub-committee selected ‘Airbus’ as the best solution for the region.
“However that’s being delayed by the State (but) with the jail incident, Armstrong County didn’t think we had time to wait, so we’re moving ahead on our own.”
Since 1998, Region 13 has been an intergovernmental agreement between more than a dozen surrounding counties - including Allegheny, Indiana and Westmoreland counties - to secure funding, training, and equipment for the surrounding area to effectively safeguard communities as well as prepare on a statewide scale.
Airbus is also currently is contracted to repair the phone switches at Armstrong 9-1-1.
The full $28,000 cost would be paid out of the current 9-1-1 operating budget, Bausert said.
“It’s just another solution to let the public know of incidents. The thing with this though, it’s not just for the jail – it works anywhere in the county,” Bausert said.
Bausert explained Armstrong County would purchase data through Windstream, which would then be geo-coded to a map.
“When a dispatcher draws any type of a polygon on the map, it will call every house phone in that polygon and tell them what the emergency is,” Bausert said. “There is also another component where you can self-register your cell phone and/or your email so you will get a text or email when we activate the system.
“So, if you live (in Rayburn Township) and there’s a jailbreak but you work in Pittsburgh, you don’t have to wait till you get home to get the message.”
Bausert, commissioners and Department of Public Safety Director Randy Brozenick will be at Monday’s meeting to answer any questions.
County commissioners and Solicitor Chase McClister have approved to purchase the new component, but they will not sign any contracts until after Monday’s meeting.
Bausert estimated the public emergency system could be implemented in January. It would carry a three-year agreement, with annual installments.
County Commissioner David Battaglia said a siren will also be located at the Armstrong County Jail or the Emergency Operations Center as soon as January.
“The potential is substantial, and it places Armstrong County where it needs to be in today’s information age,” Battaglia said.
Monday’s meeting begins at 7PM.