The Kane County Board voted in November to approve what County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay described as �a first step in the direction of dispatch consolidation.�
Adoption of a resolution authorizing provision of emergency 911 and dispatching services to South Elgin is part of a clear national trend over the last two decades towards public safety system consolidation, with radio networks developed to cover counties, regions, and even states. Similarly, jurisdictions have merged their communications dispatch centers across agencies and political boundaries, according to Kane County Emergency Communications (KaneComm) Executive Director Jennifer Baustian.
�It really is a huge milestone and a really exciting project,� Baustian said of the county�s agreement with South Elgin. The South Elgin 911 Center currently is under the control of the South Elgin Police Department. Its public safety answering point (PSAP) is responsible for the receipt of 911 calls and emergency dispatch of only the South Elgin Police and Fire Departments.
�We at KaneComm recognize that our diversification of services is what sets us apart. As the emerging trend of PSAP consolidation develops throughout the Midwest region, this diversification ensures that we are competitively poised for strategic long-term planning,� said Baustian. We remain vigilantly aware of controlled growth opportunities for an expanded subscriber base.� When the anticipated cutover of services occurs on May 1, 2012, the transition will be virtually seamless with no discernable change in services provided to citizens.
South Elgin determined, based on a comprehensive analysis, that outsourcing 911 services to a regional dispatch center would be the most fiscally responsible option and best for the village. The transfer to KaneComm was recommended by Police Chief Chris Merritt based on several criteria including agreement that KaneComm will provide employment opportunities to existing South Elgin PSAP personnel before hiring outside of the agency. The agreement assures that village employees with three to 27 years experience are not displaced, according to Baustian.
There are nine dispatch centers, or PSAP�s, serving the citizens of Kane County. Seven of the nine are located in Kane County. In light of the projected costs associated with Next Generation 911 Technology, which is needed for 911 centers to receive text messages, photos and live video stream, the need for PSAP consolidation is greater than ever, she said.
Baustian noted that according to an October, 2010 trade group report on effective practices for public safety communications, security, reliability and interoperability, there has been a clear trend over the last two decades towards public safety system consolidation, with radio networks developed to cover counties, regions, and even states. Similarly, jurisdictions have merged their communications dispatch centers across agencies and political boundaries.
Public safety radio systems and communications dispatch centers were historically built and operated by single agencies for their own users. Systems were designed to meet unique local requirements, but often led to incompatibility, inefficient use of scarce resources, and higher costs for specialized equipment and procedures with little opportunity to benefit from economies of scale, according to the group�s report. It noted in its findings that in a vast majority of cases, there are clear benefits to consolidation. The sharing of resources allows for the elimination of duplicate costs, supports coordinated responses, provides greater interoperability, and ultimately leads to more effective and efficient service. Driving forces from political, economic and service quality factors are increasingly demanding public safety officials consider consolidation with neighboring communities of interest.
