Tioga County Pennsylvania 9-1-1

10/23/2026

🚨 **HISTORY MADE IN PENNSYLVANIA!** 🚨

📣 Pennsylvania has officially recognized telecommunicators as **FIRST RESPONDERS!** 🎉

For those of us who work in 911, this recognition means so much more than a title. It’s a long-overdue acknowledgment of the men and women who are the first voice heard in someone’s worst moment.

📞 We answer the calls.
🚒 We dispatch the help.
🚑 We coordinate the response.
🚓 We remain calm when others are facing chaos.

We may not always be at the scene, but we are there from the very beginning — gathering critical information, making split-second decisions, providing lifesaving instructions, and sending help when every second counts.

Behind every police officer, firefighter, and EMS provider responding to an emergency is a telecommunicator working tirelessly behind the scenes to help make that response happen.

**We are the first point of contact. We are the calm in the chaos. We are the voice on the other end of the line. And now, Pennsylvania law recognizes what so many of us have known all along.** ❤️

To every 911 telecommunicator across Pennsylvania: take a moment to celebrate

💛🖤 HOUSE BILL 453 HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN SIGNED INTO LAW! 💛🖤

Today, October 22, 2026, Governor Josh Shapiro signed House Bill 453 into law, officially becoming ACT 66 OF 2026!

Act 66 of 2026 provides statutory recognition of Telecommunicators as emergency responders under specific provisions of Pennsylvania law, including emergency management, mutual aid, and emergency responder mental wellness.

The Pennsylvania Chapter of APCO extends its sincere appreciation to Governor Josh Shapiro, members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, our public safety partners, and everyone who supported this legislation.

Today, we celebrate a historic achievement. Tomorrow, our advocacy continues. This is a milestone, not the finish line.

We recognize that PCOs and other public safety dispatch professionals were not included in this legislation. We hear you, we value your service, and PA APCO remains committed to supporting continued efforts toward recognition for all public safety communications professionals.

08/10/2026

A version of this story first ran in Talk of the Town, a newsletter by Spotlight PA’s State College regional bureau of local stories that dig deep, events, and more

06/24/2026

It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Pamela Swimley.

Pam dedicated nearly 22 years of service to Tioga County 911, serving from October 31, 1989, until her retirement on September 9, 2011. During her time with 911, she touched countless lives through her dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to helping others during their times of need.

Pam was a deeply spiritual woman whose faith guided the way she lived her life. She was the kind of person who would give the shirt off her back and never hesitated to help someone in need. Her kindness, generosity, and selflessness left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

She was also a lifetime member and devoted supporter of her local fire department, always willing to lend a hand, offer encouragement, and serve her community in any way she could. Her commitment to helping others extended far beyond her professional career and reflected the very best of public service.

Above all else, Pam's greatest joy was her family. She was a loving wife who cherished her husband, a proud mother to her sons and daughter, and warmly welcomed her daughters-in-law as family. Nothing brought her greater happiness than spending time with her beloved grandchildren, who held a very special place in her heart and were the light of her life.

Pam's legacy of faith, service, love, and compassion will continue to live on in the countless lives she touched. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, former coworkers, the fire service community, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Please keep Pam's family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

06/23/2026

Today, our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Chief Zac Stager, a man who left this world far too soon and far too unexpectedly.

Chief Stager was more than a dedicated law enforcement officer—he was a loving son, a devoted and doting father, a trusted friend, and a pillar of the Mansfield community. Through his years of service, he answered the call with courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to protecting those around him. His impact reached far beyond the badge he wore, touching countless lives through his kindness, leadership, and friendship.

Whether he was serving his community, spending time with those he loved most, or enjoying the peace and tradition of hunting in the great outdoors, Chief Stager lived a life filled with purpose and passion. The woods were one of his happy places, where he found solace and appreciation for the beauty of God's creation.

While we struggle to understand why someone so cherished was taken from us so soon, we find comfort in imagining him ascending to Heaven, greeted with open arms by those who went before him. Among them, surely, was his good friend Doug Burd, waiting to welcome him home with a smile, ready to share stories, laughter, and perhaps plan one more hunt together.

Zac's absence will be deeply felt by his family, friends, fellow officers, and the entire community he served so faithfully. His legacy of service, integrity, and love will continue to live on in the lives he touched and the memories we will forever cherish.

Rest easy, Chief. Your watch is over, but your impact will never be forgotten.

04/16/2026

National Telecommunicator Week brings lots of goodies! A big favorite came from Knoxville-Deerfield Vol. Fire Company . Massive thank you for the fruit, cheese and pepperoni tray and cookies/sweets! You guys are the best!

12/19/2025

Join me in wishing Duane Morgan well as he retires from Tioga County 911. I felt the best way to send him off is by a "letter to Duane" so everyone knows what a wonderful asset Duane has been to this community. If you see Duane out and about please take the time to say a thank you!

Dear Duane,

As you close this chapter of your career with Tioga County 911, we want to take a moment to recognize and thank you for the many years of service, dedication, and friendship you have shared with us.

Since joining Tioga County 911 in 2008—after an already distinguished career in law enforcement—you brought with you a strong sense of duty, professionalism, and commitment to public service. Your transition from police officer to telecommunicator was seamless, and the same values that defined your law enforcement career continued to shine throughout your time here.

Duane, you were the definition of a dependable employee. Your reliability, work ethic, and willingness to support others never went unnoticed. You were always there when needed, whether it was to lend a hand, offer encouragement, or simply bring a smile to someone’s day. Your positive attitude, sense of humor, and team-first mindset made you a joy to work with and a friend to everyone you met.

Your impact on this center goes far beyond the calls you handled. You helped shape the culture of our workplace, setting an example of commitment, teamwork, and camaraderie that will continue long after your last shift.

As you enter retirement, we wish you many wonderful years filled with fun, relaxation, and new adventures. May this next chapter bring you the same fulfillment and happiness that you brought to those around you throughout your career.

Thank you for everything, Duane. You will be missed, but your legacy here will not be forgotten.

With sincere appreciation and best wishes,

Tioga County 911