Seeks coordinated efforts to handle PV emergencies

Kevin Steber, Summit Hill’s Emergency Management Agency coordinator, wants to see a more coordinated effort by emergency responders in handling emergencies in the Panther Valley School District.

Steber told Summit Hill Borough Council on Monday that twice within two months there have been red alerts at Panther Valley High School, which is located along Route 209 in Summit Hill Borough, in which multiple emergency responders were dispatched.

On May 11, a spent bullet was found in a girls’ locker room at the high school. As a result, school officials locked down the building while a search by various police agencies was conducted as a safety precaution.

A similar incident happened on March 18. On that date, a casing to a bullet was found in the school cafeteria.

Besides various police departments — including the state police and a trained search dog — local fire departments, fire police and an ambulance squad were also dispatched.

Steber said although this is a police situation, he wants to see better coordination by all the responding units.

He said coordination must occur on such things as closing the road and what the job is for each responder.

“The system isn’t broken, but it needs to be tweaked,” Steber said.

He said he will meet with police and fire department personnel to put together specific procedures. “I don’t want procedural stuff out in the open,” he said. “It’s a police matter.” He said he will keep council informed.

He also said after getting together with police, fire officials and ambulance personnel, he will meet with school officials regarding any protocol established.