Wes Smith

Director

wsmith@perryco.org

717-582-2131

Brian Hockenberry

Deputy Director

bhockenberry@perryco.org

717-582-2121

About Perry County 911

Your First Connection to Emergency Help

Perry County 911 Communications Center serves as the county’s Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), providing emergency communications services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Located in the Perry County Courthouse in New Bloomfield, the Communications Center is operated by eight full-time employees and two 911 Supervisors. Our dedicated Emergency Telecommunicators serve as the first point of contact for individuals requesting emergency assistance, coordinating responses with law enforcement, fire, rescue, and emergency medical service agencies throughout Perry County.

Our Telecommunicators are often referred to as the “first, first responders.” Long before emergency personnel arrive on scene, they are gathering critical information, coordinating resources, and helping callers navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Through ongoing training, established emergency dispatch procedures, and modern communications technology, Perry County 911 remains committed to providing reliable, professional emergency communications to our communities and the emergency responders who serve them.

When Should You Call 911?

Call 911 whenever immediate assistance is needed from law enforcement, fire, rescue, or emergency medical services.

Examples include serious illness or injury, fires, vehicle crashes involving injuries or hazards, crimes in progress, and situations where lives or property are in immediate danger.

If you are unsure whether your situation is an emergency, call 911 and allow the Telecommunicator to help determine the appropriate response.

For routine questions and non-emergency assistance, contact Perry County 911 at 717-582-4311.

What Happens When You Call 911?

When you call 911, a trained Emergency Telecommunicator will gather information necessary to determine the nature and location of the emergency and coordinate an appropriate response.

Be prepared to provide the following information:

• Location: The address or best possible description of where assistance is needed.
• Nature of the emergency: Explain what happened and what assistance is needed.
• Contact information: Your name and telephone number, in case additional information is needed.
• Additional details: Answer the Telecommunicator’s questions about injuries, hazards, people involved, and other relevant circumstances.

Please do not hang up until instructed to do so, unless remaining on the phone would place you in danger.

Telecommunicators may ask several questions during an emergency. These questions help identify appropriate emergency resources, provide responders with important information, and support the safety of everyone involved.

If you accidentally dial 911, remain on the line and explain that the call was accidental.

Text-to-911 — Call If You Can, Text If You Can’t

Perry County 911 offers Text-to-911 service for individuals who are unable to communicate by voice or when making a telephone call could create an unsafe situation.

Text-to-911 is especially beneficial for individuals who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities, as well as those experiencing an emergency where speaking is not possible or safe.

To contact 911 by text, enter 911 as the recipient of a new text message. Include your location, a brief description of the emergency, and answer any questions from the Telecommunicator.

Voice calls remain the preferred method of contacting 911 whenever possible. Text messages may be delayed, and location information may be limited.

Remember: Call if you can. Text if you can’t.

Knowing Your Location Can Save Valuable Time

Perry County’s rural geography, mountainous terrain, and extensive network of secondary roads can create challenges when locating individuals experiencing emergencies.

While modern 911 technology can assist in identifying a caller’s location, that information may not always be exact.

When calling from a location without a known street address, provide as much information as possible, including road names, intersections, recognizable landmarks, trailheads, mile markers, or GPS coordinates when available.

Knowing and communicating your location can help emergency responders find you more efficiently.

Our History

Perry County’s emergency communications history began in 1962, when local individuals recognized the need for a centralized dispatch service to coordinate emergency responses throughout the county.

On April 1, 1965, Perry County Base officially began operations with three full-time operators working from a converted coal-bin area in the basement of the Perry County Courthouse.

The county introduced its first 911 telephone service in October 1990, representing a major advancement in how residents requested emergency assistance.

Over the following decades, Perry County continued modernizing its emergency communications capabilities, including the introduction of Text-to-911 in 2018, implementation of the Tyler Computer-Aided Dispatch system in 2019, and a major Communications Center renovation in 2022.

Today, Perry County 911 continues that tradition of service through dedicated personnel, professional training, and continued improvements in emergency communications technology.

Public Policies and Communications Resources

Perry County Emergency Management & 911 supports transparency and cooperation with the emergency service organizations and communities we serve.

Our online Public Document Library provides access to selected department policies, communications procedures, operational manuals, and reference materials available for public viewing.

Access the Perry County EMA & 911 Public Document Library:

https://public.powerdms.com/JCPC911/tree/

Our Commitment

The mission of Perry County 911 is to provide dependable, professional, and compassionate emergency communications services while supporting the safety of our residents, visitors, and emergency responders.

When an emergency happens, Perry County 911 is here to answer the call.