Franklin County approves short contract to overhaul 911 dispatcher training
January 15, 2026 | Franklin County, Pennsylvania
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Franklin County commissioners approved a contract on Jan. 14 to bring retired systems process engineer Ed Vitale in on a short engagement to redesign 911 telecommunicator training and create a "train‑the‑trainer" manual intended to improve onboarding and staff retention.
Carrie (Speaker 5), who presented the proposal, said the consultant has developed a work plan to "sit down with the folks that develop the training and execute the training and kind of start over," focusing on consistent formats and learning styles. "This is a long awaited contract we're excited to bring before you this morning," she said. Staff said the consultant will come out of retirement and work roughly twice a month for several days at a time over an anticipated 12‑week period.
According to staff, the contract is budgeted at about $6,500; Carrie warned that lodging expenses could exceed that amount and that the county would return to the board if additional funds were required. She described the consultant's role as suggesting improvements to the training manual and producing a train‑the‑trainer guide so that new hires can begin onboarding sooner and the county can better stagger training cohorts.
Commissioner (Speaker 2) asked for a timeframe for when results could be expected; staff reiterated the twice‑monthly schedule and said the contract was written to provide flexibility, with a contract end expected in April. Chair (Speaker 1) accepted a motion to approve the contract; Commissioner (Speaker 2) moved the measure and Chair (Speaker 1) seconded. The board approved the contract by voice vote (ayes recorded). The contract is intended to address recruitment and retention difficulties in both the jail and the 911 call center and to standardize training approaches within state and federal regulatory limits.
Next steps: staff will begin the consultant engagement, report back as the project progresses, and return to the board if lodging or other expenses exceed the budgeted amount.
Carrie (Speaker 5), who presented the proposal, said the consultant has developed a work plan to "sit down with the folks that develop the training and execute the training and kind of start over," focusing on consistent formats and learning styles. "This is a long awaited contract we're excited to bring before you this morning," she said. Staff said the consultant will come out of retirement and work roughly twice a month for several days at a time over an anticipated 12‑week period.
According to staff, the contract is budgeted at about $6,500; Carrie warned that lodging expenses could exceed that amount and that the county would return to the board if additional funds were required. She described the consultant's role as suggesting improvements to the training manual and producing a train‑the‑trainer guide so that new hires can begin onboarding sooner and the county can better stagger training cohorts.
Commissioner (Speaker 2) asked for a timeframe for when results could be expected; staff reiterated the twice‑monthly schedule and said the contract was written to provide flexibility, with a contract end expected in April. Chair (Speaker 1) accepted a motion to approve the contract; Commissioner (Speaker 2) moved the measure and Chair (Speaker 1) seconded. The board approved the contract by voice vote (ayes recorded). The contract is intended to address recruitment and retention difficulties in both the jail and the 911 call center and to standardize training approaches within state and federal regulatory limits.
Next steps: staff will begin the consultant engagement, report back as the project progresses, and return to the board if lodging or other expenses exceed the budgeted amount.
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