May 13, 2021
9-1-1 Consortium Initiative Moves Forward
This is a joint press release from the members of the Lake County 9-1-1 Consolidation Consortium
In a move towards improving 9-1-1 call-taking, dispatch services and public safety throughout Lake County, the Regional 9-1-1 Consolidation Consortium coordinated with the Lake County Board to enter into two contracts with Tyler Technologies of Troy Michigan to replace and improve public safety technology for participating agencies. The new technology will include Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Mobile Messaging, Law Enforcement Records Management (RMS), Jail Management (JMS), Electronic Citation (E-Citation), and Electronic Crash (E-Crash) software.
The consortium of 21 public safety entities was established in 2018 through an intergovernmental agreement to improve 9-1-1 service and increase public safety efficiencies for residents and communities. In 2019, the Consortium approved a general plan to move partners toward consolidation of 9-1-1 technology and future operations.
"It’s been very encouraging to work with municipalities and public safety agencies from all across Lake County in a highly collaborative process for the greater good of all our residents,” said Chris Velkover, Village of Gurnee’s Information Systems Director, and a member of the Consortium’s Technology Working Group and Operations Committee
The Consortium’s original discussions focused solely on 9-1-1 technology, but soon expanded to a “system of systems” that includes records and jail management as well as law enforcement reporting (citations and accidents) due to the clear benefits and cost savings of shared systems and information.
"The opportunity to consolidate public safety technology will greatly improve the efficiency of 9-1-1 dispatch as well as create additional public safety efficiencies throughout Lake County, and we're proud to be a part of this first step towards improving the safety of our residents." said Vernon Hills’ Chief of Police Patrick L. Kreis, who also serves as Chair of the Consortium’s Operations Committee.
These contracts are the first major initiative from the Consortium’s plan and focus on building a foundation of standardized technology to improve emergency response, information sharing, and coordination amongst partnering agencies while reducing long term costs. The plan and contracts have been structured so additional partners can easily transition to these new systems for the operational and fiscal benefits.
"In an emergency situation, every second counts and emergency agencies need to ensure they're using the most updated computer aided dispatch technology available," said Dave Dato, Chair of the Lake County Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB). "By coming to a consensus on the technology platforms to use, Lake County public safety agencies have taken a major stride toward improving 9-1-1 effectiveness and efficiencies."
“Collaboration with our municipal and local partners is critical when it comes to public safety. We are proud to support and help lead this important initiative, which will save lives by improving emergency response and save Lake County taxpayer dollars,” said Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg.
The Lake County ETSB is the Consortium’s executive agent and purchaser for the $1.36 million CAD and Mobile Messaging contract while the Lake County Sheriff’s Office will be the Consortium’s executive agent and purchaser for the $2.83 million RMS, JMS, E-Citation, and E-Crash contract.
“This continues to be a true team effort and I am grateful for so many stakeholders working together to provide exceptional service to the Lake County community,” said Linda Pedersen, a Lake County Board Member and a member of the Consortium’s Policy Committee.
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