CHAMBERSBURG – Franklin County Commissioners chose a Shippensburg company to print ballots and recognized government communicators at their first evening meeting of the year on Feb 18.
Approving the consent agenda without discussion, commissioners moved the costs of a software contract from the information technology budget to emergency management to align with the purpose of the software and agreed to apply for a grant with the state Department of Community and Economic Development for emergency services.
Beidel Printing House out of Shippensburg won the bid for ballot printing.
After hearing a presentation from Communications Coordinator Sheena Baker about the role of communications in government, the commission proclaimed Feb. 20 Government Communicators Day. As this reporter can attest, Baker ensures the timely dissemination of information to the public and the press, supports communication for all 52 county departments, handles public information (including managing seven Facebook pages), community relations, crisis communication support, special event coordination, employee communications and more.
Finally communications coordinator for the Department of Emergency Services Barbie Harshman received her Emergency Number Professional certification. As a now-certified ENP, Harshman has demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge of emergency number program management through a combination of education, experience, professional development and passing an exam.
There are only 1,859 certified ENPs in the world (109 in Pennsylvania, two in Franklin County). ENPs are certified by the National Emergency Number Association, a non-profit professional organization focused on 9-1-1 operations, technology, education and policy issues.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners will next meet Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 10 a.m. at the Administration Building (272 North Second Street in Chambersburg) and can be streamed online at: https://www.youtube.com/@countycommissioners8113.
