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The *TribLocal* recently covered a heated discussion at the Des Plaines City Council meeting, where the fire chief proposed joining the Regional Emergency Dispatch (RED) Center to handle 911 calls for the city’s fire department. However, the proposal faced strong opposition from several aldermen, who raised concerns about potential risks to public safety and response times.
Ald. Dick Sayad, representing the 4th Ward, voiced his doubts during the session, saying he wasn’t confident in the current plan. He called for the council to delay the vote until early September, allowing more time for research and evaluation. "There are 14 towns involved in this regional center, and we’re worried that response times could be compromised," Sayad explained. "Time is critical when it comes to saving lives."
Fire Chief Alan Wax defended the move, arguing that joining the RED Center in Northbrook would streamline operations and reduce costs. The center has been serving 14 communities, including Niles, Prospect Heights, and Wheeling, since 1977, and has never had any issues with call transfers, according to Wax. He added that transferring a 911 call takes less than three to five seconds, ensuring minimal disruption.
Previously, Des Plaines relied on the North Suburban Emergency Communication Center (NSECC), which closed earlier this year as required by the Illinois Commerce Commission. Since then, dispatch services have been managed by the Des Plaines Emergency Communication Center (DPECC), which is now providing its services to the Park Ridge police and fire departments under a two-year intergovernmental agreement. Park Ridge is also considering joining the RED Center, with a vote expected in September. Wax emphasized that both departments must either stay together in DPECC or move to the regional center.
While the initial cost of joining the RED Center is around $243,000, Wax said the city would save approximately $133,000 annually in the long run. Despite these financial benefits, some local dispatchers expressed concern over job losses—five of them would be affected if the city moves forward. They also raised fears that callers in distress might become confused during the transfer, leading to delays or even dropped calls.
Rebecca Brink, one of the city’s 17 dispatchers, urged the council to reconsider the proposal. "We’re concerned that you’re not hearing our side of the story," she said. She suggested instead that the city invest in upgrading its existing 911 infrastructure rather than moving to a regional system.
The council plans to revisit the issue at its next meeting on September 3, where a final decision may be made. For now, the debate continues, highlighting the delicate balance between cost efficiency and public safety in emergency services.