James A. McPhedran

The committee meeting agenda includes a review and potential changes to the response configuration and policies regarding the priority dispatch system, as well as an evaluation of field feedback reports. Old business topics cover general operational matters, discussions concerning the new CAD system, and the possibility of consolidating radio channels. New business will feature a tour of the LaSalle County EMA command bus.

The committee discussed updates to the priority dispatch system, including new protocols for fire and EMS, definitions for building heights, and added information for gas-related incidents. Field feedback regarding dispatch issues was reviewed. Ongoing items included updating standard operating procedures for traffic incident management systems and radio consolidation funding challenges. Computer-aided dispatch updates were discussed, specifically regarding station maps, access, and run card refinement. New business covered outdoor warning siren activation procedures, drone team questions, new box cards for the Peru Fire Department, transportation incident dispatch options, and progress towards fire accreditation.

The committee discussed various operational matters including radio communication protocols, the creation of separate incident reports for police-related calls, and the cessation of Wednesday night pager tests. Further discussions addressed ongoing challenges with station logins, mapping issues, and AVL/mobile system problems at specific locations. The committee also covered the need for a joint policy regarding TIMS training and reviewed CAD updates involving run cards, drone call notifications, and unit recommendations. Plans for future mapping uploads and a potential meeting with the state's attorney regarding radio channel consolidation were also noted.

The meeting included a discussion on field feedback and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) data quality issues, noting that dispatchers can submit Field Feedback Reports (FFRs). Operational discussions focused on required information for dispatch calls, such as providing addresses and locations, ensuring correct name entry (including hyphenated last names), and removing 'unknown' entries to maintain accurate state reporting. System issues addressed included the handling of meal break status versus creating calls, clarification on updating call information (except Primary Incident Code), and addressing mapping errors. Guidance was issued to officers regarding repeating specific radio codes (27s and 28s) and waiting for acknowledgment before transmitting. The group reviewed system updates, including the new CAD configuration covering permissions and NIBRS reporting. No changes were made to response configuration or Priority Dispatch service policy.

Key discussions during the meeting included reports from the standing committees on Fire/EMS and Law Enforcement Operations, specifically concerning separating law enforcement and fire calls in the CAD system and building out fire/EMS run cards. The Executive Director's report covered the CESSA subregional committee meeting, which placed IVRD in Cohort 0 requiring implementation of IL Risk Level 2 responses, staffing updates, and legislative efforts regarding the 9-1-1 surcharge bill. Financial matters included receiving and placing on file the December financial report, the FY25 IVRD Audit/Financial Report, and the IVRD Tax Return, along with approving the payment of bills. The board agreed to continue utilizing the Code Red emergency notification system despite higher costs associated with alternatives. New business involved receiving the certificate of insurance from the City of Peru and approving resolutions for the Executive Director's employment agreement and a disclosure/consent to dual representation.