911 call center dispatches passwords and personal information

The Health and Human Services Department is investigating allegations that personal health information from a Pennsylvania 911 dispatch center was released in violation of federal privacy law. The center, located in Monroeville, was apparently emailing the data to a former police chief, who retired in 2010.

The incident affects anyone who called the police, fire department, used emergency medical service or was transferred to or from a Monroeville hospital could.

An August 2012 complaint filed with HHS by the Monroeville police alleged “ambulance dispatches were being sent to former Monroeville police Chief George Polnar, who retired in January 2010 and is now employed as the manager of security and parking at UPMC East in Monroeville.”

The current police chief also said Monroeville's five fire stations had login information that would let them view information about calls to the dispatch system. "Anyone with that login information was able to view dispatch information from outside computers.”