U.S. Reps. Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA) said on Monday that Huntingdon, Bedford, Blair and Fulton counties in Pennsylvania will receive $175,000 in Appalachian Regional Commission funding.
The funds will be used to upgrade emergency response systems in the counties so that they are up to required standards. The counties have entered into an intergovernmental cooperation agreement to share the new and up-to-date services.
“This is excellent news for our region,” Shuster said. “The grant funding will pave the way for much-needed technological upgrades to our emergency response system and will ultimately play an important role in the life-saving work our 9-1-1 dispatchers and first responders have each time they are called upon.”
The upgrades will include a conversion to the state-of-the-art Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, which will replace older, failing systems throughout these four counties. The CAD system automatically displays the caller’s name, phone number and location, and also can plot the location on a map, making it easier for responders to locate the caller during an emergency. The system also uses the newest technology available, such as sending text messages to 9-1-1 when necessary, and the ability to send pictures and video directly from the scene of the emergency.
“Our first responders selflessly aid our neighbors during emergencies and we must ensure they have adequate tools to identify the location of an emergency,” Thompson said. “I applaud these four counties, their proactive approach combined with this grant will definitely help save lives in our communities,” added Thompson.