Povlich Named Director Of Franklin County Department Of Emergency Services

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – The Franklin County Commissioners are pleased to announce that Robert W. Povlich Jr. has been named the director of Franklin County’s Department of Emergency Services (DES).

As DES director, Povlich will administer and direct the emergency management agency, hazardous materials program and the 911 communications center to coordinate safety activities and programs within the county. Povlich replaces retiring director Jacob Crider.

Povlich brings more than 25 years of emergency management experience to his new position, including over 18 years as a senior information technology officer with the U.S. Air Force. 

Povlich retired from the AIr Force as a lieutenant colonel in 2013. In 2016, he joined Franklin County’s DES as an operations and training officer. He became the department’s planning coordinator in 2017 and was promoted to DES assistant director in 2020.

In these roles, Povlich was instrumental in planning and overseeing operational and developmental training exercises in county-wide emergency preparedness. He served as the manager of the county’s emergency operations center, maintained the county’s emergency operations plan and provided guidance on critical planning to 22 municipal emergency management coordinators. Povlich also led an update to the county’s hazard mitigation plan and led a review of the emergency operations plans for all schools, nursing homes, child care facilities, high-hazard dams and municipalities in Franklin County. As assistant director, Povlich spearheaded the county’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which DES was the point of contact for all requests for resources and support within the county. He also served as vice chair of the Local County Emergency Planning Committee as well as on the Public Safety Training Center board of directors.

A native of Clearfield, Pennsylvania, Povlich earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Penn State University in 1993. He also holds master’s degrees in information systems management and military operational arts and science. Povlich has earned several certifications from both the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency, and he received numerous commendations during his military service. Povlich, his wife Bobbi Anne and their two sons have called Chambersburg home since 2011.

“Robert has been a great asset to Franklin County Emergency Services, and he is very well qualified to lead the department going forward,” said Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller.

Franklin County’s DES provides a comprehensive emergency management system for the county and coordinates activities through five phases of emergency/disaster that can be natural, man-made, terrorist, hazardous material, chemical or technological in nature. DES handles all aspects of call receipt and processing for fire, emergency management services and law enforcement agencies – with the exception of the Pennsylvania State Police Chambersburg Barracks – to 22 municipalities in Franklin County.

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