911 Board Hears Goals of Statewide Advisory Board

A statewide 911 advisory board has listed three goals that members hope will be adhered to by 911 systems across Illinois.

Local 911 System Administrator Jodi Moomaw shared the goals with the Effingham County 911 Board at their meeting Tuesday.

One goal is a standardized level of services provided by each 911 agency. That could take some doing as some 911 systems have enhanced 911 while others have basic service. Also, some agencies have certain income levels that others don't.

Moomaw said another goal is making all 911 systems interconnected so calls to an agency can be routed to the proper 911 system, regardless of where it's located in the state, and so the caller can get the same data regardless of which agency handles the call.

The third goal is to create lists of acceptable and non-acceptable expenses than can be covered with 911 surcharge revenues as a ready reference for agencies in Illinois.

Also Tuesday, 911 Board members heard that the new computers for the dispatching points upgrade have arrived, but won't be installed yet. That's because 911 is still deciding on replacement furniture that will house the equipment. Members of the 911 Board's equipment committee aren't pleased with the quotes they've received on furnishings.