The TribLocal recently covered a presentation to the Des Plaines city council regarding the potential collaboration with the RED Center for fire department dispatch services. This issue sparked significant debate among council members, particularly over concerns that joining such a regional emergency dispatch system could compromise response times—something critical in life-saving situations.
Alderman Dick Sayad, representing the 4th Ward, voiced his skepticism about the proposal during the council meeting. He called for postponing the vote until early September to allow for a deeper investigation into the matter. “I don’t feel confident about what’s happening here,†Sayad stated. “With 14 towns already part of the regional center, we risk losing precious response time, which is crucial when it comes to saving lives.â€
Fire Chief Alan Wax argued in favor of the proposal, emphasizing that joining the Regional Emergency Dispatch (RED) Center in Northbrook would enhance service efficiency while cutting operational costs. According to Wax, the RED Center, operational since 1977, has maintained a seamless record of transferring calls without any major hiccups, taking no more than three to five seconds to redirect incoming 911 calls.
Prior to its dissolution earlier this year, as mandated by the Illinois Commerce Commission, the fire department had been using the North Suburban Emergency Communication Center (NSECC), located on the second floor of city hall, for dispatch services. Following NSECC's closure, these responsibilities were taken over by the Des Plaines Emergency Communication Center (DPECC). Currently, DPECC is providing its services to the Park Ridge police and fire departments under a two-year intergovernmental agreement. Park Ridge is also contemplating joining the regional center, with a decision expected by September. Wax noted that both departments need to align their choices, either staying with DPECC or moving to the RED center.
Although the initial investment required for joining the regional center amounts to approximately $243,000, Wax projected that this cost would be recuperated within a year through an estimated annual saving of $133,000. However, the proposal has raised concerns among the city’s current dispatchers, particularly the five who could potentially lose their jobs. Some expressed worries that callers under stress might become disoriented by the transfer process, either hanging up prematurely or needing extra time to re-explain their location to another operator.
Rebecca Brink, one of the city’s 17 dispatchers, urged the council to reconsider their approach. She suggested the city should focus instead on upgrading its existing 911 dispatch infrastructure. “We feel like you’re not fully understanding our perspective,†she emphasized.
The council plans to continue discussing and voting on this proposal at their next meeting on September 3rd.
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