LAWRENCE COUNTY Officials weigh backup for county 911 system

Pittsburgh's multiple 911 centers have similar agreements.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County officials are working on an agreement that should prevent any repeats of last summer's nearly four-hour loss of 911 service.
They want to partner with Butler County to back up each other if the service goes down.
Computer software failed last summer, then a single switch that routes 911 calls to the proper emergency center went down in Lawrence, Beaver and Westmoreland counties, as well as Pittsburgh.
People dialing 911 heard busy signals or nothing.
Officials said there were no missed emergencies during that time and they were able to publicize seven-digit back-up numbers for emergency use.
Those problems could have been avoided if there was a backup system like the one between Pittsburgh's multiple 911 centers, said Frank Janetti, Lawrence 911 director.
What's needed: Both counties would need new telephone and high-speed computer connections to provide backup service, he said.
They are investigating the cost.
Janetti said Butler County was chosen because the two share common radio frequencies and dispatching policies. Mercer and Beaver counties are on different systems, according to Janetti.
County commissioners say they like the plan.
"I think it's a very smart move," Commissioner Brian Burick said.
Frank Mattis, Butler County 911 director, could not be reached.