New phone system in Struthers City Hall will save $6K annually

By EMMALEE C. TORISK

etorisk@vindy.com

STRUTHERS

Before last week, the circa-1960s Struthers City Hall lacked a fire- alarm system.

Now, with the installation of a new phone system, the Elm Street building and its occupants are better prepared to respond to any sort of emergency — fire, tornado and even an armed intruder — as alerts can be broadcast over the corresponding speakers and throughout city hall.

Though this upgrade cost $5,000, it will end up saving the city of Struthers about $6,000 each year, said Ed Wildes, the city’s safety-service director.

“We now have a better phone system at a savings,” Wildes added.

Wildes touted other benefits of the phone system, including its having different alert tones and prerecorded messages for each emergency, which can be summoned simply with the push of an orange “alert” button on the phones.

“There could be a secretary alone in her office and not know there is a fire in the building,” Wildes said, referring to problems posed by the previous absence of fire alarms. “That’s why we have to have this system.”

In addition, the phone service itself is much clearer, easier to use and local, the latter of which will be useful if a problem arises, Wildes said, adding that the new system is through Delta Telecom Inc., based in Poland.

Janet Gentile, secretary to Mayor Terry Stocker, had to contend with the previous system for most of her 22 years in the position. Of the new, smaller phones, as well as the complimentary wireless headsets, Gentile is a fan.

“The other used to take up half my desk,” she said of her old phone. “They broke really easily, too, while these are more modern.”

Both Wildes and Stocker emphasized that the new phone system is just another safety-related improvement in the city.

Last year, for example, the city developed emergency-response plans for each department and mandated department heads’ attendance at regular safety meetings offered by American Safety and Health Management Consultants Inc., along with their passing down information presented during those meetings to subordinates.

These improvements were things that should’ve been in place years ago, Wildes said.

“I am responsible for everybody’s personal safety. If somebody got hurt in this building because of no proper procedures, I’d be liable and remiss in my duties and responsibilities,” he explained. “We’ve done a lot in this city. ... When I know about a problem, I try to address it the best way I can.”