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A 90-minute wait for Allegheny County's special weapons and tactical unit during a hostage situation in April 2008 has convinced Police Chief Joe Pero that the city needs to be better prepared.

"I'm not knocking the county police, but it took them approximately an hour and a half to respond," Pero told city council last night. "We feel a special services unit is needed here."

With the aid of a grant from the federal Department of Justice, the city would like purchase an armored tactical vehicle that police officers could use to take cover while under fire, he said.

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A similar armored unit was used by Pittsburgh police during the shooting April 4 in that city's Stanton Heights neighborhood in which three officers were killed.

A delay bringing the truck to the scene, however, hampered efforts to rescue the fallen officers and control the shooting suspect, Richard Poplawski.

Local police have responded to several armed standoffs in the Mon-Yough area, including two incidents last fall in Clairton. One of those lasted eight hours, and another required a lockdown at Clairton Education Center.

"To be able to return fire while mobile and under cover is something that's sorely needed," Pero said.

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The city's proposal to the Justice Department --- approved last night by 6-0 vote of council --- calls for creation of a regional "critical action response team" that would be staffed by McKeesport officers and provide mutual aid to 33 other Mon-Yough area communities.

Though more common in large cities, there is precedent for SWAT-type units in smaller municipalities. Last year, municipalities in the South Hills Area Council of Governments, including Mt. Lebanon, formed a joint Critical Incident Response Team.

In Westmoreland County, Greensburg police have a tactical sniper team.

Pero said city police have a long way to go before officially creating a tactical unit --- including special training and certification --- but that several officers have volunteered for the program.

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One sergeant has already received basic instruction and can train other officers, he said.

Pero called it a "morale builder" for the force of 65 officers. "We'd really like to get this off the ground," he said.

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Also proposed is a new river rescue boat that would primarily patrol the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers near the city limits, but would also be available to assist any community between Lock and Dam No. 4 at Charleroi and Lock and Dam No. 2 at Braddock.

The specifications being drawn up by city firefighters include a boat that can carry a small all-terrain vehicle and a built-in pumper capable of delivering 2,000 gallons of water per minute in case of a fire, said Dennis Pittman, city administrator.

Because of the city-owned marina on Water Street and several private and public boat launches nearby, officials have wanted a new river-rescue boat for several years. Mayor Jim Brewster has described the current craft as "a glorified fishing boat."

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Brewster cautioned council that both proposals are preliminary and require a competitive bid process and approval from the Justice Department.

"We're going to put in for the funding, but we also have a backup plan," he said.