Lake County Gazette

Lake County Board meetings this week advanced a vote scheduled for June 11 by the full board on measures to consolidate 911 and emergency dispatch services. The board would become a founding member of two new agencies.

"By consolidating our 9-1-1 dispatch centers, telecommunicators can provide faster and more coordinated responses to emergencies, ultimately saving time and more importantly, lives," said Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart, according to a Lake County press release.

According to the press release, one of the intergovernmental agreements (IGA) would make Lake County a founding member of LakeComm. LakeComm would be the consolidated Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for agencies in the partnership. A PSAP is a 911 call center responsible for answering calls made to an emergency phone number for law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services. It routes appropriate response units to enhance public safety and reduce response times.

A second IGA initiates the process to establish a joint Emergency Telephone System Board from several local Emergency Telephone System Boards (ETSBs), according to the press release. These boards receive 911 surcharge funds and serve as an oversight board to manage operational aspects of the 911 system. That includes maintaining equipment, budget management, and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. The joint ETSB would require final approval from the State of Illinois 911 Administrator.

According to the press release, Lake County and its municipal partners have prioritized 911 consolidation for more than ten years. Illinois law (ILCS 750/15.4a) mandates that any county with a population of at least 250,000 and more than one ETSB must consolidate its ETSBs. This ensures that no 911 authority serves a population of fewer than 25,000 residents.