911 Centers will soon have more funding, according to The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and officials hope it’ll help bridge some of the issues centers have seen across the nation.
The Shapiro Administration says funding for the Commonwealth is on track to meet or exceed the April 1st to March 31st projection.
Funding for 911 centers is on track to meet or exceed the projections of $370 million by March of 2025, thanks to Act 34, which Governor Josh Shapiro signed in 2023.
The monthly phone surcharge for 911 services went from $1.65 to $1.95 from March 1st of this year.
“The 911 fee is a primary funding source for 911’s system. The fee increase is expected to generate about $370 million each year, and that will cover 70% a county’s cost to cover to provide 911 service,” said Jeff Boyle, Executive Deputy Director for PEMA.
“The 911 fee does cover personnel costs, and technology to support 911 every day. It is an important funding source, and the county’s property tax donors cover the costs not covered. The fee increase is going to help elevate some burden on the county’s general funds,” said Boyle.
The second quarter of this year was projected to have a revenue total of $92.5 million and bypassed with $97.1 million, and considered a success.
“We’re going from an analog 911 system to a digital 911 system. To put it in perspective, many of the features and functions on your smartphone today such as text, video, social media. Those functions are not compatible with today’s 911 system next-generation 91 is going to enable that this fee increase is supporting that,” he said.
Over at the Luzerne County 911 center in Hanover Township, they believe in the phrase “Heroes behind the headsets,” I’m told staffing levels are becoming better.
The center hasn’t seen the funds quite yet, but with this funding quarter, they are expected to see an influx of additional funds.
“That’s going to go towards salaries. Just like everybody else in the public, all the prices are rising so electricity, water, everything,” said William Ives, Deputy Director at Luzerne County 911 Center.
“It’s going to help us move along, help maintain services that we can provide. May help us a bit to improve those services, but overall, it’s going to help us stay afloat,” he said.
Over at the Luzerne County 911 center, we’re told they are looking to start a new class in September for applicants.
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