Village of Oak Lawn considers outsourcing dispatching

An article in the Oak Lawn Patch reports that local officials are considering closing the village's emergency communications center and outsourcing its operations to a private company, NORCOMM. This move has sparked discussions about cost savings, job transitions, and the future of public safety services in the area. At a special budget meeting on November 6, the proposal to outsource 911 dispatch services was revealed as a major development. While not entirely unexpected, it raised concerns among employees who currently hold union contracts. The plan would involve retaining management positions but outsourcing 20 civilian police roles. According to Kathy Hansen, the director of Oak Lawn’s emergency communications department, the decision stems from financial pressures. With more people switching to mobile phones, the village is losing revenue from state-mandated surcharges. At the same time, operational costs continue to rise, making the current model unsustainable. The emergency communications center serves not only Oak Lawn but also five local police departments and ten fire departments in the south suburbs. This broad service area makes the decision even more significant for the region. The village has identified Norcomm Public Safety Communications, based in Leyden Township, as a potential partner. Established in 1994, Norcomm is Illinois’ first 911 call center, offering dispatch services for police, fire, and emergency medical responders. By contracting with them, Oak Lawn could save $893,000 over the next two years, funds that could be redirected toward next-generation technologies like text-to-911 capabilities. In addition, the village would lease its state-of-the-art facility to Norcomm, generating additional revenue. Village Manager Larry Deetjen emphasized that Norcomm offers competitive wages and benefits, along with opportunities for career advancement. Emergency dispatchers would have the first opportunity to apply for their existing roles, though they would transition from the Metropolitan Alliance of Police’s union pension plan to Norcomm’s corporate plan. Deetjen noted that many workers might still choose to stay, as the work environment and uniforms would remain the same, and benefits would be comparable. Hansen also highlighted the financial burden of overtime pay, which reached $124,855 through August 2013, with one individual receiving $55,000. Without overtime, top earners made around $69,000, with benefits adding approximately 40%, or $28,000, to their total compensation. She explained that privatization could lead to more efficient salary structures, with wages aligned more closely with market standards. This, she said, could allow the department to hire more dispatchers. Deetjen added that under the new arrangement, Oak Lawn would cover 45% of the costs instead of the current 55%. He also mentioned that the door remains open for union representatives to negotiate and find ways to manage expenses while preserving jobs. “The market is evolving,” Deetjen said, “and communities are exploring options with other service providers, including competing centers and private vendors like Norcomm.” This shift marks a significant change in how public safety services are managed, raising questions about the balance between efficiency, cost, and employee rights. As the process moves forward, the community will be watching closely to see how these changes impact both the residents and the workers involved.

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