911 center gets new leader
The Herman Volunteer Fire Company chief is the new Butler County 911 coordinator.
Rob McLafferty, 44, of Summit Township began his new job Monday.
As the 911 coordinator, McLafferty schedules dispatchers to cover the county communication center's 24-hour-a-day operations.
McLafferty, a former Butler County dispatcher, said he wants to help the center move forward.
“Butler's 911 was one of the first in the state, and we want to continue being at the forefront,” he said.
McLafferty will oversee 18 full-time and 11 part-time dispatchers who handle roughly 500 to 600 incidents each week.
His last job was the trauma/EMS specialist for Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, reviewing patient care.
He remains a paramedic for Butler Memorial Hospital who is stationed with Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company ambulance.
McLafferty previously worked as the outreach coordinator for Butler Memorial.
McLafferty, one of nearly 30 applicants for 911 coordinator, was glad to be selected.
“I was excited for the future of the center,” he said. “There a lot of good things we can do. It's a great team.”
Steve Bicehouse, director of county emergency services, said McLafferty was the best choice out of a field of qualified candidates.
“He's part of the community,” Bicehouse said.
McLafferty was among 17 applicants who interviewed for the post.
“He had the right answers,” Bicehouse said.
Sheriff Mike Slupe, who was a member of the selection committee, agreed.
“He nailed the interview,” Slupe said. “Rob is the guy who has the skills to help the director move the 911 center forward.”
The vacancy was created in June after the abrupt retirement of Bob Young.
McLafferty is one of three employees who report directly to Bicehouse under a revised administration structure.
The other two employees are Amy Marree, the Homeland Security planner, and Scott Hoffman, the HazMat specialist.
McLafferty is pleased to be working for the county again: “It's good to come home.”
