Serving The Community In Times Of Need
The Millcreek Township Police
Communications Center has been a vital
component of our Emergency Services
since the establishment of the police
department. The Communications
Center staffing consists of a Division
Commander, Communications Specialist
Supervisor/TAC Officer, 9 full time and 6
part time Communications Specialists.
Our center operates 24 hours a day/ 7
days a week, handling over 20,000 calls
a year.
The Center handles emergency
and non emergency calls, dispatching
for the Township Police Department,
Sewer and Streets Departments,
Presque Isle Park Rangers, as well as
communicating with the US Coast
Guard and Erie International Airport
Police. The Communications Center
monitors all fire channels, after hour’s
Township fire and security alarms, sewer
alarms, on-call towing services, PA One
calls, major weather events, Emergency
Management Services, SWAT and bomb
services, and requests for emergency
medical dispatch when needed.
All Communications Specialists are
required to complete a minimum of
140 hours of hands on training, learn
a computer aided dispatch program
and National Crime Information System
Portal. They must pass an Emergency
Telecommunicator/ Dispatcher and
NCIC operator exam before being
released to work within the Center.
Communications Specialists are
trained to collect pertinent information
and dispatch the closest available unit
and appropriate resources, all to be
accomplished within a national time
goal of 90 seconds. The job can be
stressful and fast paced. Operators
are trained to handle several different
scenarios while maintaining a calm and
attentive mindset making multi-tasking
a crucial skill. A Communications
Specialist’s day can run 8-16 hours and
each shift has a minimum staffing of 2
1
3
2
5
4
1. In back row, left to right. Communications Specialists: Sean Baer,
Matt Parker and Andy Kilmer. In front row, left to right:
Communications Specialists: John Sorge and Jerry Hickin.
2. In back row, left to right: Communications Specialists: Ben Steiner,
Chuck Zukowski, Matt Flak and Jim Donnell. In front row, left to right:
Communications Specialists: Doug Bahrenburg, Randy Houle and
Chuck Priestap. Not present for the photo: Communications
Specialists Dave Morgan and Brock Phillips
3. Communications Specialist Supervisor/TAC Officer Cheryl
Comstock.
4. Communications Specialists Randy Houle and Ben Steiner.
5. Communications Specialists Chuck Priestap.
6. Communications Specialists Chuck Zukowski.
and a maximum of 4 dispatchers. Calls
can range from minor issues such as
barking dogs up to violent crimes in
progress.
The highest priority of the Center is
officer and public safety. Every call is
handled and treated with the attention
and professionalism that the Millcreek
community has grown to expect.
Maintaining our dispatch center as a
part of the police department offers the
Township, the citizens and our officers
an exclusive level of service. We have
well established and cooperative inter-
agency relationships with local and
6
county departments. We know our
officers, the logistics of the Township
and can offer a personalized and unique
level of service to the community
without compromising response times.
The center is held to the highest of
standards. Employees are dedicated
and rise to the daily challenges they
face as Emergency Dispatchers, who
are proud to serve our officers and the
citizens of Millcreek Township.
Millcreek Township Police Dispatch
can be reached at 814.833.7777.
MILLCREEK
❘
SUMMER 2019
11