Recently, TribLocal featured an article discussing a presentation made to the Des Plaines city council regarding the potential collaboration with the RED Center for fire department dispatch services. This decision has sparked significant debate among council members, with concerns being raised about possible delays in emergency response times.
The Des Plaines City Council paused consideration of a proposal from Fire Chief Alan Wax to join a regional emergency dispatch center after several aldermen expressed worries that this move could result in critical delays during emergency responses. “I don’t feel confident about what’s happening here,†said Alderman Dick Sayad, who suggested postponing the vote until early September to give the council more time to thoroughly examine the issue.
“Fourteen towns are already part of the regional center, but we’re worried about losing precious response time, which is crucial in saving lives,†Sayad emphasized.
According to Wax, joining the Regional Emergency Dispatch (RED) Center in Northbrook would enhance service efficiency while reducing operational costs. The RED Center currently handles call-taking, pre-arrival medical instructions, and fire department dispatching for 14 communities, including Niles, Prospect Heights, and Wheeling. Wax assured the council that the center, operational since 1977, has never encountered problems with call transfers, noting that it takes less than three to five seconds to transfer a 911 call.
Previously, the fire department relied on the North Suburban Emergency Communication Center (NSECC) located on the second floor of city hall for emergency and non-emergency dispatching services. However, the NSECC was disbanded earlier this year following orders from the Illinois Commerce Commission. Since then, dispatching duties have been managed by the Des Plaines Emergency Communication Center (DPECC), which has signed a two-year intergovernmental agreement to provide services to the Park Ridge police and fire departments. Park Ridge is also contemplating joining the regional center, with a vote scheduled for September. Wax mentioned that both departments must either stay with DPECC or transition to the RED center.
Although joining the regional center would involve approximately $243,000 in startup expenses, Wax argued that these costs would be recouped within a short period through an anticipated annual savings of $133,000. However, the proposal has raised public safety concerns among the city's current dispatchers, particularly the fear that some distressed callers might become confused by the transfer process and either hang up or take extra time explaining their location to a second dispatcher.
Rebecca Brink, a DPECC dispatcher, echoed these concerns during the council meeting, urging them to delay voting on the proposal. She recommended investing in upgrading the existing police and fire department dispatch infrastructure instead. “We feel like you’re not fully understanding our perspective,†Brink stated, representing one of the city’s 17 dispatchers.
The council plans to continue deliberating and vote on the proposal at their next meeting on September 3rd.
This situation highlights the complex balance between financial savings and maintaining high standards of emergency response readiness in Des Plaines. As discussions continue, the city remains focused on ensuring the best possible outcomes for its residents.
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