The feasibility report and presentation by Elert and Associates at each community meeting is intended to be the first public presentation/discussion on the topic of a potential consolidation initiative.  The consultant report does not outline an implementation plan or timeline.  After receipt of the consultant’s report and recommendation at their December meetings, each Village is expected to consider whether or not to proceed with a consolidation initiative at meetings in early 2012.

Interested residents are encouraged to attend one of the above meetings to learn more about the feasibility study and recommendations.  Copies of Elert and Associates Public Safety Communications Consolidation Study can be found online at each community’s website.                                       

BACKGROUND

The Police Departments in Kenilworth, Northfield and Winnetka each operate an independent Public Safety Communications Center (dispatch center).  The Departments share common radio frequencies with Wilmette Police and Glencoe Public Safety as part of a larger, multi-agency communications infrastructure consortium.  All three towns currently are members of R.E.D. Center which is a regional dispatch center for fire and emergency medical services centers.  The three Village’s have found the consolidated dispatch model for fire/emergency medical services to be effective.  However, police 911 centers offer additional challenges such as dealing with short and long term prisoners, emergency walk in services, and extensive court and record processing. 

 Each community has participated in previous discussions and studies evaluating the feasibility of consolidating area Public Safety Communications Centers; however, consolidation has not yet taken place.  In 2009 senior staff from Kenilworth, Northfield and Winnetka Police Departments revisited the idea of consolidating Police Communications.  These efforts resulted in the January 5, 2011 Staff Report that was presented to each respective board/council in March of this year.  This report recommended the three communities retain the services of consultant Elert and Associates to assist in a feasibility study on possible consolidation of police dispatch services for the Kenilworth, Northfield, and Winnetka.

 Elert and Associate’s feasibility report recommends the three communities consolidate their Public Safety Communications operations to improve emergency dispatch services and provide long-term capital expense savings.  The report indicates estimated operational costs savings of approximately $140,000/annually for a full consolidation of dispatch services of the three communities.  However, the report does outline estimated required startup costs for the joint dispatch center and needed staffing expenses related to each department’s administrative duties which will no longer be completed by dispatch personnel once consolidation takes place.  These costs will impact the anticipated savings; therefore, the report places emphasis on cost savings realized in later years especially when service enhancements and capital improvements are required, including implementation of next generation 911 technology for call processing in the future.