Another department looks into consolidating emergency dispatch – Lemont FPD (update)

A follow-up article on Lemont Fire Protection’s decision to move forward with outsourcing emergency dispatch services:

Last week, the fire and medical dispatchers in Lemont were informed that their roles could soon be taken over by an external provider. Following a meeting on Thursday, the district’s board of trustees unanimously approved the move, deciding to outsource emergency dispatch operations to Orland Central. Starting in April, all emergency calls will be handled through this centralized call center.

This decision means the elimination of the positions of the district’s 9 dispatchers—3 full-time and 6 part-time—once the transition is complete. Fire Chief George Rimbo emphasized during the meeting that the decision wasn’t made lightly. “We didn’t take this lightly,” he said. “We truly believe we’re making the right choice for the future of the district.”

The move comes as a response to financial challenges faced by the fire protection district. A recent court ruling prevented the district from monitoring fire alarms in local businesses, which had previously been a major source of funding. That revenue helped cover the costs of in-house dispatching. Without it, maintaining internal dispatch services became financially unsustainable, according to Rimbo.

Outsourcing the service is expected to bring significant cost savings. Currently, the district spends about $116 per call with in-house dispatchers. By switching to Orland Central, the cost per call is projected to drop to around $39, saving an estimated $235,000 annually.

Orland Central also offers more advanced technology. While Lemont currently uses a $60,000 system, Orland Central provides a state-of-the-art $1 million computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system. This system allows for real-time tracking of emergency vehicles, enabling more efficient response times by rerouting the closest available unit to each incident.

Orland Central is one of only two fire/EMS/rescue dispatch centers in the state and serves as a backup to the primary MABAS Communication System based in Northbrook. In 2012, the center handled approximately 19,000 calls across its jurisdiction, including the Orland Fire Protection District and two other contracted communities—Oak Forest and Calumet City. Lemont, by comparison, handles roughly 3,000 calls per year.

While the change may be difficult for the affected employees, the district sees it as a necessary step to ensure long-term stability and improved emergency response capabilities. The shift is expected to benefit both residents and first responders in the long run.

Thanks, Dan.

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