LAWRENCE COUNTY Emergency chief to quit post

County commissioners are unsure how they will fill the position.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- It's been twice in the last few decades that Sharyn Critchlow has been named Lawrence County Emergency Management coordinator.
Now she's ready to leave the position for good for personal and medical reasons.
Critchlow, 57, of Neshannock Township, told county commissioners last week that she will officially leave her position Sept. 30.
"I wanted to give them time to address the situation. Sept. 30 gets us into the next quarter," she said.
A one-person department, Critchlow is responsible for monitoring all weather and man-made disasters and training emergency responders for those disasters. Her office has also been in charge of handling homeland security issues in the county.
Critchlow was first named to the position in 1985 and remained director until 1987. Critchlow said she decided to go back to Lawrence County Emergency Management, now the county 911, full time. She had been working as an emergency dispatcher part-time while serving as director of county emergency management. She was again named director of county emergency management in 2000.
Critchlow said a background in emergency services is essential for the person who will replace her.
Looking ahead
Lawrence County commissioners, however, say they are unsure what will become of Critchlow's position, which pays $32,000 annually.
Commissioner Steve Craig said they have discussed it, but all three have differing opinions. He said he would like to see emergency management and the county 911 director's position combined. Lawrence County 911 Director Frank Janetti left last month to take a job in Mercer County and no decision has been made on that position. Jeff Parrish is now the acting 911 director.
Janetti was earning $41,557 per year and Parish will be paid $36,000 annually.
Craig said it's unclear when commissioners will decide on the future of either position.
cioffi@vindy.com