Joe is responsible for the Communications Division with an operating budget of $15 million dollars and a $28 million dollars capital budget to serve the communication needs of 45 operating departments and 17 quasi-city agencies. In his current position Joe was involved in the development of communication networks and systems in response to the World Trade terrorist act of 11 September, 2001. Joe serves on the Pennsylvania Region 9 Counter Terrorism Taskforce supporting interoperability solutions.

Joe has participated in the Department of Homeland Security’s SAFECOM radio interoperability project, and the Department of Justice Top 25 Cities Rapidcom project. He has supervised the deployment in Philadelphia of the FBI sponsored Federal interoperability channel connecting City public safety officials with various Federal emergency response agencies.

Joe’s work encompasses the procurement and support of tactical field communication gear, a 10 county $6 million dollar regional incident management data network, development of a tri-state emergency medical network, and the construction of a $4 million dollar regional microwave emergency radio dispatch network. Joe was instrumental in the implementation of a city and county public safety web-based emergency notification system and communication strategy to support the county Health Department’s response to chemical, biological and nuclear medical threats. Joe was appointed a charter member of Pennsylvania Emergency 911 Advisory Board in 2005 which deals with statewide 911 planning, policy, legislative issues and administration of a $120 million dollar statewide wireless fund.. Net.

Joe graduated from University of Phoenix with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management along with an Associate Degree from Pierce College in Applied Science majoring Telecommunication Management. He currently serves as a Commissioner on the Philadelphia Historical Commission and the Mayor’s Commission on Technology. Joe serves as the City’s representative with the National Emergency Numbering Association, Association of Public Safety Officers, and a member of the National Association of Telecommunication Officers and Administrators.


Joan Schlotterbeck
Commissioner


Joseph James
Deputy Commissioner

John Herzins
Deputy Commissioner

George Hee
Fiscal Officer

Connie Pearson
Human Resources Manager