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The TribLocal recently published an article detailing a recent presentation to the Des Plaines City Council regarding the city’s potential participation in the Regional Emergency Dispatch (RED) Center for fire department dispatch services. The proposal, introduced by Fire Chief Alan Wax, sparked debate among council members, with some expressing concerns over potential impacts on emergency response times.
During the meeting on Monday, the council decided to pause the proposal, with Alderman Dick Sayad of the 4th Ward voicing his reservations. “I’m not confident with what’s going on here,†Sayad stated, urging the council to delay the vote until early September so that further research could be conducted. He emphasized that with 14 towns already part of the RED Center, the city could face critical delays in emergency responses. “Response time is of the essence when it comes to saving lives,†he said.
Fire Chief Wax defended the move, arguing that joining the RED Center would lead to improved efficiency and cost savings. The regional center, which has been operational since 1977, currently serves 14 communities, including Niles, Prospect Heights, and Wheeling. It handles call-taking, pre-arrival medical instructions, and fire dispatching. According to Wax, transferring a 911 call to the center takes less than three to five seconds, with no reported issues in the past.
Previously, the city relied on the North Suburban Emergency Communication Center (NSECC), located in city hall. However, the NSECC was dissolved earlier this year as mandated by the Illinois Commerce Commission. Since then, the Des Plaines Emergency Communication Center (DPECC) has been handling dispatching duties, and it has entered into a two-year intergovernmental agreement to provide services to the Park Ridge police and fire departments.
Park Ridge is also considering joining the RED Center, with a vote planned for September. Wax noted that both fire departments must either stay together in DPECC or transition to the regional center. While the initial cost of joining the RED Center is approximately $243,000, the city could save around $133,000 annually in the long run.
However, the proposal has raised concerns among current dispatchers, particularly the five who may lose their jobs. One of them, Rebecca Brink, a DPECC dispatcher, voiced her worries about the impact on public safety. She argued that some callers under stress might become confused during the transfer, leading to potential delays or even abandoned calls. “We are concerned that you’re not hearing our side of the story,†she said, representing one of the 17 dispatchers in the department.
Despite these concerns, the council plans to revisit the issue at its next meeting on September 3, where a final decision may be made. The debate highlights the delicate balance between cost efficiency and public safety in emergency services.