April 19, 2024
Cutting Edge Public Safety Software Launches for 40+ Agencies in Lake County
A joint news release from the Lake County ETSB and the Lake County 9-1-1 Consolidation Partners
In the latest move towards improving 9-1-1 call-taking, emergency dispatch services and public safety in Lake County, more than 40 local law enforcement and fire agencies have gone live with state-of-the-art computer software that will improve the way they receive and manage information and work together.
The new computer software consolidates more than 15 systems used by local agencies into one, resulting in greater collaboration and efficiency when minutes matter. Collaboration on this effort began through the Regional 9-1-1 Consolidation Consortium in 2018 with the goal to implement a state-of-the-art "system of systems" due to the clear benefits and cost savings it could provide to the community. The new computer software embodies that goal, with Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), records and jail management as well as law enforcement reporting (citations and accidents) being built into one shared, multi-agency package.
Calling 9-1-1 has changed drastically since its inception nationally more than 50 years ago. Today, most agencies utilize CAD, which allows 9-1-1 public safety telecommunicators to identify the status and location of responders in the field, and effectively dispatch the closest first responders to an emergency. Using this new system, 9-1-1 public safety telecommunicators will also know more accurately where public calls from cell phones are coming from in Lake County.
"The new CAD system is a critical part of the overall consolidation effort," said Greg Formica, Fire Chief for the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District, Chair of the Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) Consolidation Committee and Representative for CenCom E9-1-1. "It will help to save lives, protect property and increase the ability for agencies to work together and share information.”
"This system has no barriers, residents and visitors in Lake County will benefit from it," said Steven Winnecke, Executive Director for the Lake County Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB). "The scope of this project took the time, efforts and expertise of a multitude of individuals and organizations to complete. I feel it is important to acknowledge all involved agencies, Crowe LLP and Tyler Technologies for their unwavering support and partnership.”
The "system of systems" is one of the major 9-1-1 consolidation initiatives, 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.
“Using the new shared computer software is a monumental milestone and gets us ready for the physical consolidation of the participating 9-1-1 entities to the Regional Operations and Communications (ROC) Facility that is now being built," said Steve Husak, Chief of Police for the Lake Zurich Police Department and Lake County ETSB Chair. "Agencies will see cost savings and be able to use a better-end product because of this software consolidation."
“The implementation of this technology is the second successful step in the 9-1-1 consolidation plan," said Sandy Hart, Lake County Board Chair. “This new shared collaborative system will decrease public safety response times in emergencies when minutes matter.”
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