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An article from the Oak Lawn Patch highlights a major shift in how the village plans to handle its emergency communications: officials are considering closing the local 911 center and outsourcing operations to a private company, NORCOMM. This move has sparked discussion among residents and workers alike.
At a special budget meeting on November 6, a proposal was introduced to outsource the 911 dispatch services. While this wasn't entirely unexpected, it still came as a surprise to many. The plan would involve retaining management positions but moving 20 civilian police roles—currently covered under a union contract—into the private sector. These positions would be handled by Norcomm, a company that has been operating in the region since 1994.
According to Kathy Hansen, the emergency communications director, the decision is driven by financial pressures. The department has seen a decline in revenue due to users switching from landlines to cell phones, which are not subject to the same state-mandated surcharges. Meanwhile, operational costs continue to rise, making the current model unsustainable.
In addition to handling Oak Lawn’s 911 calls, the center also serves five local police departments and ten fire departments across the south suburbs. By outsourcing to Norcomm, the village could save $893,000 over the next two years. That money could then be redirected toward upgrading to next-generation communication systems, such as the ability to receive emergency text messages.
Norcomm would also lease the existing facility, generating additional income for the village. Village Manager Larry Deetjen emphasized that the company offers competitive wages and benefits, along with better opportunities for career growth. Current dispatchers would have the first chance to apply for their own jobs, though they would transition into Norcomm's corporate pension plan instead of the Metropolitan Alliance of Police’s union plan.
Deetjen noted that many of the 20 employees might choose to stay, given that they’d work at the same location, wear the same uniforms, and enjoy comparable benefits. He also pointed out that the savings come from more market-driven compensation packages, allowing the village to hire more dispatchers while reducing overall costs.
Hansen shared some figures showing that overtime pay in the department reached $124,855 through August 2013, with one individual receiving $55,000 in overtime. Without overtime, the top earners made around $69,000, with an additional $28,000 in benefits. She argued that these numbers make the current model less efficient compared to what Norcomm can offer.
Under the new arrangement, Oak Lawn would cover 45% of the costs, down from the current 55%. Deetjen also mentioned that the door remains open for union leaders to negotiate further if they wish to explore alternatives that could help reduce expenses without losing jobs.
As communities across the area look to modernize their emergency services, Oak Lawn is following a growing trend of partnering with private vendors like Norcomm. The future of local 911 dispatch is changing—and the impact will be felt by both workers and residents alike.
Thanks, Dan.