Some things never change

Turn the clock back to 1985. I was a Dispatcher and worked in the basement of the old Court House. We didn't have 27 state of the art communications positions or new radio equipment and we were lucky to have 8 Dispatchers and a Supervisor per shift to handle multiple police, fire and ambulance companies. A lot of the boroughs or townships had their own departments, most part time and a vast area existed that was only covered by the State Police. Just about all calls were taken manually and written down on cards. The majority of us working were volunteer firefighters, EMT's and law enforcement personnel with an extensive knowledge of County geography. Each of us on shift usually knew the quickest way to get to an intersection in Fawn Township, the nearest landmark to a back alley in Dallastown or where the Cumberland County line cross-cut thru Monoghan Twp. If we had doubts we referenced maps and all worked together during the calls. We had nights with a tornado, heavy storms and every so often the TMI alert sirens would sound thanks to radio interference from another state. During these times we also would receive hundreds of calls with 9 of us but we worked as a team and all calls for assistance were promptly dispatched.

I bring all of this up because we didn't have the equipment of today and worked with a lot less people for a lot less money. Many left only because the salary was very low. Mr Chronister and Mr. Rychalsky should take a serious look at the salary levels to maintain the professionals they have working for them. A lot of us would still be there if that were done a long time ago.

Bob Lowe
New Freedom