WOOD RIVER — An emergency communications professional with more than 20 years of experience will serve as Madison County’s first Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB) deputy director.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
911 Director Arron Weber announced Joe Petrokovich’s selection Thursday, citing his background in dispatch operations, personnel management, technology, budgeting, training and emergency preparedness.
“Ultimately, I selected him because of his combined operational knowledge, leadership experience, established relationships throughout the public safety community and familiarity with both ETSB and EMA operations,” Weber said.
Petrokovich, who currently chairs the ETSB, serves as a public safety answering point manager and technology coordinator for the Wood River Police Department. His experience also includes approximately 15 years with Madison County’s Emergency Management Agency and 18 years with the Illinois Telecommunicator Emergency Response Task Force.
Weber said the position drew more than 40 inquiries. He narrowed the field to five qualified candidates, each of whom answered the same interview questions covering leadership, 911 operations, emergency management, consolidation, budgeting and intergovernmental relationships.
The new role will support county 911 operations and help guide efforts to integrate emergency communications and emergency management, Weber said.
Deputy Sheriff Marcos Pulido and Edwardsville Fire Chief Brendan McKee, both ETSB members, endorsed Petrokovich’s selection.
“Obviously, I know one candidate, and that’s the one that you selected,” Pulido said.
Pulido described the choice as “phenomenal,” citing what he knows about Petrokovich and his qualifications.
McKee agreed. He highlighted Petrokovich’s ability to work across public safety disciplines, including with fire agencies. McKee, who previously served as Wood River’s fire chief, worked with Petrokovich.
“Joe understands what happens on both sides of the radio,” McKee said. “He understands the needs of dispatchers, law enforcement officers and the people working in the field. That perspective is important as the county continues to improve its emergency communications system.”
Petrokovich joined the ETSB in August 2017 and became chairman in 2020. He will resign from the board to assume the deputy director position, and County Board Chairman Chris Slusser will select his replacement.
During his time on the board, Petrokovich helped oversee advances in emergency communications technology and training. He credited cooperation among the ETSB, 911 staff and dispatch center managers for the county’s progress.
Petrokovich thanked Weber, board members, public safety colleagues and his family for their support. He said the full-time position offers an opportunity to build on that work and contribute more to public safety operations.
“I am grateful to you all,” Petrokovich said. “I am thankful for the opportunity and the trust.”
