BEDFORD — An emergency services consortium consisting of four counties will expand to include three more counties, an action approved by Bedford County commissioners Tuesday.

The intergovernmental cooperation agreement between Bedford, Blair, Fulton and Huntingdon counties will add Cambria, Centre and Somerset counties to an association aimed at sharing emergency system resources and providing backup to dispatch centers.

“It’s an expansive opportunity for us to reach out,” said David Cubbison, Bedford County director of emergency services. “When you have a larger body, you have a greater collaboration and a greater ability to get grants and have a little bit more power.”

Cubbison said the collaboration between the counties has saved a lot of money and helped improve 911 call response times.

All counties involved will strategize and collaborate backup for call centers, equipment sharing, applications for grants and other funding and purchase of new equipment, according to the agreement. The original agreement took effect in February 2015.

Another collaborative effort amongst multiple counties also received unanimous approval by the commissioners. The commissioners recognized an updated 10-year comprehensive plan between Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset to address regional issues such as public health and economic growth.

“There’s a lot of good topics within the plan,” Com­missioner Josh Lang said. “I’ll be more pleased once I see some of the tasks and jobs come to fruition.”

Planning Commission Director Don Schwartz said the first issue the team will address is broadband and cell service in the area. A task force has been developed for that issue and will have its first meeting in August.

“We recognize we have many similar problems,” Schwartz said of the cooperating counties. “To some extent, there are regional issues. So we are going to try and tackle those regional issues first, such as electronic communication.”

Details about the plan can be found in a document titled “Alleghenies Ahead Shared Strategies for a Stronger Region” posted on the county’s website.

The commissioners approved the security deposit for the rental of a second apartment for the Bedford County Children and Youth Services independent living program at the meeting. They also approved the purchase of a 2018 Ford SUV priced at $21,950 for the department through a lease program.

The Center for Com­munity Action received approval to file a proposal for state funds amounting to $100,000 for its homeless preventions and rapid rehousing outreach project.

Mirror Staff Writer Shen Wu Tan is at 946-7457.